Anti-EPHA2 antibody

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an antibody which recognizes an epitope recognized by an antibody produced by a hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836) or a hybridoma SH357-1 (FERM BP-10837), an antibody produced by the hybridoma SH348-1 or the hybridoma SH357-1, an antibody obtained by humanizing the antibody produced by the hybridoma SH348-1 or the hybridoma SH357-1, a pharmaceutical agent comprising the antibody as an active ingredient, etc.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/713,041, filed Feb. 25, 2010, which is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/JP2008/065486, filed Aug. 29, 2008, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-224007, filed Aug. 30, 2007.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an antibody having an inhibitory activity against cell malignant transformation and/or tumor cell growth. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antibody against EPHA2 and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the antibody.

STATEMENT REGARDING SEQUENCE LISTING

The sequence listing associated with this application is provided in text format in lieu of a paper copy and is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification. The name of the text file containing the sequence listing is 40515 SEQ Final 2013-05-21.txt. The text file is 233 KB; was created on May 21, 2013; and is being submitted via EFS-Web with the filing of the specification.

BACKGROUND

EPHA2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that has a molecular weight of 130 kDa and has a single transmembrane domain (Molecular and Cellular Biology, 1990, vol. 10, p. 6316-6324). EPHA2 has a ligand-binding domain and two fibronectin type 3 domains present in the N-terminal extracellular region and a tyrosine kinase domain and a sterile-α-motif (SAM) domain present in the C-terminal intracellular region.

GPI-anchored plasma membrane proteins ephrin-A1 to ephrin-A5 are known as EPHA2 ligands (Annual Review of Neuroscience, 1998, vol. 21, p. 309-345). The ligand binding to EPHA2 activates the tyrosine kinase domain and phosphorylates tyrosine residues present in the EPHA2 intracellular region, resulting in signal transduction within the cell. It has also been reported that EPHA2 bound with the ligand is internalized into the cell through endocytosis and is eventually degraded by a proteasome (Molecular Cancer Research, 2002, vol. 1, p. 79-87).

High expression of EPHA2 has been reported clinically in many cancers, particularly, breast cancer, esophagus cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, and glioblastoma multiforme (Cancer Research, 2001, vol. 61, p. 2301-2306; International Journal of Cancer, 2003, vol. 103, p. 657-663; The Prostate, 1999, vol. 41, p. 275-280; American Journal of Pathology, 2003, vol. 163, p. 2271-2276; Cancer Science, 2005, vol. 96, p. 42-47; Clinical Cancer Research, 2003, vol. 9, p. 613-618; Oncology Reports, 2004, vol. 11, p. 605-611; and Molecular Cancer Research, 2005, vol. 3, p. 541-551). It has also been reported that: for esophagus cancer, EPHA2 expression-positive patients tend to have a high frequency of regional lymph node metastasis, a large number of lymph node metastases, and a poor degree of tumor differentiation and a low five-year survival rate (International Journal of Cancer, 2003, vol. 103, p. 657-663); for non-small cell lung cancer, patients highly expressing EPHA2 tend to have a low disease-free survival rate and to have recurrence, particularly of brain metastasis (Clinical Cancer Research, 2003, vol. 9, p. 613-618); and for colon cancer, EPHA2 expression-positive patients tend to have liver metastasis, lymphatic vessel invasion, and lymph node metastasis, and many patients with high clinical stage are EPHA2 expression-positive patients (Oncology Reports, 2004, vol. 11, p. 605-611).

Moreover, it has been reported that by the introduction of EPHA2 genes into cells, non-cancer cells acquire cancer phenotypes such as anchorage-independent growth ability, tubular morphology-forming ability on the extracellular matrix, and in vivo tumor growth ability (Cancer Research, 2001, vol. 61, p. 2301-2306), and cancer cells have enhanced invasiveness through the extracellular matrix (Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2004, vol. 320, p. 1096-1102; and Oncogene, 2004, vol. 23, p. 1448-1456). In addition, it has been reported that: the invasiveness or anchorage-independent growth of cancer cells and in vivo tumor growth are inhibited by knockdown of EPHA2 expression using siRNA (Oncogene, 2004, vol. 23, p. 1448-1456; and Cancer Research, 2002, vol. 62, p. 2840-2847); and the invasiveness, anchorage-independent growth, and tubular morphology-forming ability of cancer cells are inhibited by activating EPHA2 using fusion proteins of its ligand ephrin-A1 and a human IgG Fc region and inducing EPHA2 degradation through endocytosis (Cancer Research, 2001, vol. 61, p. 2301-2306; Molecular Cancer Research, 2005, vol. 3, p. 541-551; and Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 2004, vol. 320, p. 1096-1102).

On the other hand, EPHA2 has been reported to be expressed not only in cancer cells but also within tumors or in their surrounding blood vessels (Oncogene, 2000, vol. 19, p. 6043-6052). It has been reported that in mice, EPHA2 signals are involved in angiogenesis induced by ephrin-A1, and particularly, EPHA2 expressed in vascular endothelial cells is required for the tube formation or survival of the vascular endothelial cells (Journal of Cell Science, 2004, vol. 117, p. 2037-2049). It has also been reported that fusion proteins of an EPHA2 extracellular region and a human IgG Fc region inhibit angiogenesis in vivo and exhibit an antitumor effect (Oncogene, 2002, vol. 21, p. 7011-7026).

Monoclonal antibodies are useful not only as diagnostic drugs but also as therapeutic drugs. Monoclonal antibodies are actively used particularly in the field of cancer therapy, and monoclonal antibodies against receptor tyrosine kinases such as HER2 and EGFR or against CD20 extracellular regions are used in cancer therapy and exhibit excellent effects (The New England Journal of Medicine, 2007, vol. 357, p. 39-51; Oncogene, 2007, vol. 26, p. 3661-3678; and Oncogene, 2007, vol. 26, p. 3603-3613). The mechanisms of action of the monoclonal antibodies used in cancer therapy include apoptosis induction and inhibition of growth signals. In addition, their immunoresponse-mediated action such as ADCC or CDC is also considered to play a very important role. In actuality, it has been reported that anti-HER2 antibodies (trastuzumab) or anti-CD20 antibodies (rituximab) exhibit a much weaker antitumor effect in xenografts of nude mice deficient in FcγRs necessary for ADCC induction than in nude mice that are not deficient in FcγRs, when these antibodies are administered thereto (Nature Medicine, 2000, vol. 6, p. 443-446). It has also been reported that anti-CD20 antibodies (rituximab) exhibit a weaker antitumor effect in mice depleted of complement by the administration of cobra venom than in mice that are not depleted of complement, when the antibody is administered thereto (Blood, 2004, vol. 103, p. 2738-2743).

For EPHA2, it has been reported that agonistic anti-EPHA2 monoclonal antibodies having an activity of inducing the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues and an activity of inducing EPHA2 degradation, as for the ligands, inhibit the anchorage-independent growth of a breast cancer cell line and the tubular morphology formation thereof on the extracellular matrix (Cancer Research, 2002, vol. 62, p. 2840-2847). It has also been reported that agonistic anti-EPHA2 monoclonal antibodies which recognize an epitope on EPHA2 displayed on cancer cells rather than non-cancer cells and have an activity of inducing the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues and an activity of inducing EPHA2 degradation exhibit an antitumor effect in vivo (Cancer Research, 2003, vol. 63, p. 7907-7912; and the pamphlet of WO 03/094859). On the other hand, Kiewlich et al. have reported that their anti-EPHA2 monoclonal antibodies had an activity of inducing the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues and an activity of inducing EPHA2 degradation but did not exhibit an antitumor effect in vivo (Neoplasia, 2006, vol. 8, p. 18-30).

Moreover, the pamphlet of WO 2006/084226 discloses anti-EPHA2 monoclonal antibodies LUCA19, SG5, LUCA40, and SPL1 obtained by immunizing mice with cancer cells and discloses that, among these antibodies: LUCA19 and SG5 do not influence the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues; LUCA40 inhibits cancer cell growth in vitro; and LUCA19, SG5, and LUCA40 are internalized into cancer cells in the presence of anti-mouse antibody labeled with toxin (saporin). The document has also reported that LUCA40 and SPL1 exhibit an antitumor effect in vivo. However, the presence or absence of the agonistic activities of these antibodies remains to be clarified.

Despite these studies, an epitope for an anti-EPHA2 antibody that exhibits an antitumor effect in vivo is still unknown. No previous document has reported that a particular amino acid sequence in an EPHA2 extracellular region is useful as an epitope for a monoclonal antibody intended for cancer therapy.

Even antibodies against the same antigen differ in their properties depending on differences in epitopes or their sequences. Furthermore, due to this difference in their properties, the antibodies, when administered to humans, would clinically respond in different a manner with respect to drug effectiveness, the frequency of therapeutic response, side effects, the frequency of occurrence of drug resistance, etc.

Thus, a drug having clinically the best properties may also differ depending on the patient. In many cases, such properties are unknown until the drug is actually administered. Thus, it has been strongly required to develop a drug having a novel mechanism of action. It has also been strongly required to develop an antibody against EPHA2 having properties different from those of conventional antibodies.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of Western blotting results showing the presence or absence of the activity of inducing the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues by an anti-EPHA2 antibody. FIG. 1A) is a diagram showing the results obtained in the absence of a cross-linking antibody, wherein the upper bar shows the results for a 4G10 antibody, and the lower bar shows the results for an anti-EPHA2 antibody (D7). FIG. 1B) is a diagram showing the results obtained in the presence of a cross-linking antibody, wherein the upper bar shows the results of a 4G10 antibody, and the lower bar shows the results of an anti-EPHA2 antibody (D7);

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams of Western blotting results showing the presence or absence of the activity of inducing a decrease in EPHA2 protein level by an anti-EPHA2 antibody. FIG. 2A) is a diagram showing the results obtained in the absence of a cross-linking antibody, wherein the upper bar shows the results for an anti-EPHA2 antibody (D7), and the lower bar shows the results for an anti-β-actin antibody. FIG. 2B) is a diagram showing the results obtained in the presence of a cross-linking antibody, wherein the upper bar shows the results for an anti-EPHA2 antibody (D7), and the lower bar shows the results for an anti-β-actin antibody;

FIGS. 3A through 3C are diagrams showing the presence or absence of the ADCC activity of an anti-EPHA2 antibody against various cell lines. In the diagrams, “**” represents P<0.01, and “***” represents P<0.001. FIG. 3A) is a diagram showing the ADCC activity against MDA-MB-231 cells. FIG. 3B) is a diagram showing the ADCC activity against A549 cells. FIG. 3C) is a diagram showing the ADCC activity against PC-3 cells;

FIGS. 4A through 4F are diagrams showing the presence or absence of the CDC activity of an anti-EPHA2 antibody against various cells. In the diagrams, “***” represents P<0.001. FIG. 4A) is a diagram showing the CDC activity of SH348-1 against MDA-MB-231 cells. FIG. 4B) is a diagram showing the CDC activity of SH348-1 against A549 cells. FIG. 4C) is a diagram showing the CDC activity of SH348-1 against PC-3 cells. FIG. 4D) is a diagram showing the CDC activity of SH357-1 against MDA-MB-231 cells. FIG. 4E) is a diagram showing the CDC activity of SH357-1 against A549 cells. FIG. 4F) is a diagram showing the CDC activity of SH357-1 against PC-3 cells;

FIG. 5A) is a diagram showing EPHA2 domain structure prediction and the positions, in EPHA2, of EPHA2-ECD, FNIII-NC, FNIII-N, and FNIII-C which are peptides for epitope determination. In the diagram, Ligand-BD represents a ligand-binding domain, FN3 represents a fibronectin type 3 domain, TM represents a transmembrane region, Trk kinase represents a tyrosine kinase domain, and SAM represents a SAM domain;

FIG. 5B) is a diagram showing the presence or absence of the binding activity of an anti-EPHA2 antibody for EPHA2-ECD, FNIII-NC, FNIII-N, and FNIII-C;

FIG. 6A) is a diagram showing the antitumor activity of SH348-1 against MDA-MB-231 cell-transplanted mice;

FIG. 6B) is a diagram showing the antitumor activity of SH357-1 against MDA-MB-231 cell-transplanted mice. In the diagram, the error bar represents a standard error (n=9);

FIG. 7A) is a diagram showing the binding activity of SH348-1 to an EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide;

FIG. 7B) is a diagram showing the binding activity of SH357-1 to an EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide;

FIG. 7C) is a diagram showing the binding activity of Ab96-1 to an EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the ligand binding inhibitory activities of SH348-1, SH357-1, and Ab96-1;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing that SH348-1 and SH357-1 have an activity of inhibiting the ephrin-A1-dependent phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the outline of deletion mutants of EPHA2 for epitope identification;

FIG. 11A) is a diagram showing the reactivity of SH348-1 to deletion mutants of EPHA2;

FIG. 11B) is a diagram showing the detection of the deletion mutants of EPHA2 on a PVDF membrane in FIG. 11A);

FIG. 11C) is a diagram showing the reactivity of SH357-1 to deletion mutants of EPHA2;

FIG. 11D) is a diagram showing the detection of the deletion mutants of EPHA2 on a PVDF membrane in FIG. 11C);

FIG. 12A) is a diagram showing the binding activity of hSH348-1-T1 to an EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide;

FIG. 12B) is a diagram showing the binding activity of hSH348-1-T3 to an EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide;

FIG. 12C) is a diagram showing the binding activity of hSH357-1-T1 to an EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide;

FIG. 12D) is a diagram showing the binding activity of hSH357-1-T3 to an EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide;

FIG. 13A) is a diagram showing the competitive inhibitory activities of hSH348-1-T1 and hSH348-1-T3 against the antigen binding of SH348-1;

FIG. 13B) is a diagram showing the competitive inhibitory activities of hSH357-1-T1 and hSH357-1-T3 against the antigen binding of SH357-1;

FIG. 14A) is a diagram showing the activity of inhibiting the ephrin-A1-dependent phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues by hSH348-1-T1 or hSH348-1-T3; and

FIG. 14B) is a diagram showing the activity of inhibiting the ephrin-A1-dependent phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues by hSH357-1-T1 or hSH357-1-T3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an antibody against EPHA2.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition and the like comprising an anti-EPHA2 antibody having a therapeutic effect on cancer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing the antibody.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for inhibiting tumor growth using the antibody, etc.

Means for Solving the Problems

The present inventors have conducted diligent studies to attain the objects and consequently successfully obtained a novel anti-EPHA2 monoclonal antibody which has no activity of inducing the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues and has ADCC and CDC activities against EPHA2-expressing cancer cells. Furthermore, the present inventors have examined an epitope for this antibody and consequently found for the first time that an antibody that binds to a region comprising, of two fibronectin type 3 domains present in EPHA2, the c-terminal domain, has an excellent antitumor activity in vivo. Based on these findings, the present invention has been completed.

Specifically, the present invention comprises:

(1) An antibody which recognizes an epitope recognized by an antibody produced by the hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836);

(2) The antibody according to (1), wherein the antibody has the following properties a) to d):

a) having no ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

b) having an ADCC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

c) having a CDC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells; and

d) having an antitumor activity in vivo;

(3) The antibody according to (1), wherein the antibody has the following properties a) to e):

a) having no ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

b) exhibiting an effect of decreasing an EPHA2 protein level;

c) having an ADCC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

d) having a CDC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells; and

e) having an antitumor activity in vivo;

(4) An antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing;

(5) An antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing and has the following properties a) to d):

a) having no ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

b) having an ADCC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

c) having a CDC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells; and

d) having an antitumor activity in vivo;

(6) An antibody which specifically binds to a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing and has the following properties a) to e):

a) having no ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

b) exhibiting an effect of decreasing an EPHA2 protein level;

c) having an ADCC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

d) having a CDC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells; and

e) having an antitumor activity in vivo;

(7) The antibody according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the antibody specifically binds to a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 439 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing;

(8) The antibody according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the antibody inhibits the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues induced by an EPHA2 ligand;

(9) The antibody according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the antibody does not inhibit EPHA2 ligand binding to EPHA2 but inhibits the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues induced by the ligand;

(10) An antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing, wherein the antibody has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 59, 61, and 63 in the sequence listing, or amino acid sequences having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequences, as the complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain variable region and has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 65, 67, and 69 in the sequence listing, or amino acid sequences having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequences, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain variable region;

(11) An antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing, characterized by the following 1) and 2):

1) having a heavy chain peptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (I): -FRH₁-CDRH₁-FRH₂-CDRH₂-FRH₃-CDRH₃-FRH₄-  (I)

wherein FRH₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 18 to 30 amino acids; CDRH₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 59 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; FRH₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 14 amino acids; CDRH₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 61 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; FRH₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRH₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 63 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; and FRH₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 11 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds; and

2) having a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (II): -FRL₁-CDRL₁-FRL₂-CDRL₂-FRL₃-CDRL₃-FRL₄-  (II)

wherein FRL₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 23 amino acids; CDRL₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 65 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; FRL₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 15 amino acids; CDRL₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 67 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; FRL₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRL₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 69 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; and FRL₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 10 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds;

(12) An antibody which recognizes an epitope recognized by an antibody produced by the hybridoma SH357-1 (FERM BP-10837);

(13) The antibody according to (12), wherein the antibody has the following properties a) to d):

a) having no ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

b) having an ADCC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

c) having a CDC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells; and

d) having an antitumor activity in vivo;

(14) An antibody which specifically binds to a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing and has the following properties a) to e):

a) having no ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

b) exhibiting no effect of decreasing an EPHA2 protein level;

c) having an ADCC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

d) having a CDC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells; and

e) having an antitumor activity in vivo;

(15) The antibody according to any one of (12) to (14), wherein the antibody specifically binds to a peptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 439 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing;

(16) The antibody according to any one of (12) to (15), wherein the antibody inhibits the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues induced by an EPHA2 ligand;

(17) The antibody according to any one of (12) to (15), wherein the antibody does not inhibit EPHA2 ligand binding to EPHA2 but inhibits the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues induced by the ligand;

(18) An antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing, wherein the antibody has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 71, 73, and 75 in the sequence listing, or amino acid sequences having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequences, as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain variable region and has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 77, 79, and 81 in the sequence listing, or amino acid sequences having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequences, as complementarity determining regions in the light chain variable region;

(19) An antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing, characterized by the following 1) and 2):

1) having a heavy chain peptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (I): -FRH₁-CDRH₁-FRH₂-CDRH₂-FRH₃-CDRH₃-FRH₄-  (I)

wherein FRH₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 18 to 30 amino acids; CDRH₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 71 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; FRH₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 14 amino acids; CDRH₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 73 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; FRH₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRH₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 75 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; and FRH₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 11 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds; and

2) having a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (II): -FRL₁-CDRL₁-FRL₂-CDRL₂-FRL₃-CDRL₃-FRL₄-  (II)

wherein FRL₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 23 amino acids; CDRL₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 77 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; FRL₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 15 amino acids; CDRL₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 79 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; FRL₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRL₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 81 in the sequence listing or an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution, or addition of one or more amino acids in the amino acid sequence; and FRL₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 10 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds; (20) The antibody according to any one of (1) to (19), characterized in that the antibody is a humanized antibody;

(21) The antibody according to any one of (1) to (19), characterized in that the antibody is a human antibody;

(22) The antibody according to any one of (1) to (19), characterized in that the antibody is an IgG antibody;

(23) The antibody according to any one of (1) to (9) and (12) to (17), characterized in that the antibody is any selected from Fab, F(ab′)2, Fv, scFv, a diabody, a linear antibody, and a multispecific antibody;

(24) An antibody produced by the hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836);

(25) An antibody produced by the hybridoma SH357-1 (FERM BP-10837);

(26) An antibody consisting of the following 1) and 2):

1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 119 of SEQ ID NO: 35 in the sequence listing or a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 119 of SEQ ID NO: 39 in the sequence listing; and

2) a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 112 of SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing or a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 112 of SEQ ID NO: 41 in the sequence listing;

(27) An antibody consisting of the following 1) or 2):

1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 119 of SEQ ID NO: 35 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 112 of SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing; and

2) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 119 of SEQ ID NO: 39 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 112 of SEQ ID NO: 41 in the sequence listing;

(28) An antibody consisting of the following 1) and 2):

1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 35 in the sequence listing or a heavy chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 39 in the sequence listing; and

2) a light chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing or a light chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 41 in the sequence listing;

(29) An antibody consisting of the following 1) or 2):

1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 35 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing; and

2) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by EQ ID NO: 39 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 41 in the sequence listing;

(30) An antibody obtained by humanizing an antibody according to any one of (24) to (29);

(31) An antibody consisting of the following 1) and 2):

1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 107 in the sequence listing or a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 115 in the sequence listing; and

2) a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 91 in the sequence listing or a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 99 in the sequence listing;

(32) An antibody consisting of the following 1) or 2):

1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 107 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 91 in the sequence listing; and

2) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 115 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 99 in the sequence listing;

(33) An antibody consisting of the following 1) and 2):

1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 139 in the sequence listing or a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 147 in the sequence listing; and

2) a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 123 in the sequence listing or a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 131 in the sequence listing;

(34) An antibody consisting of the following 1) or 2):

1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 139 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 123 in the sequence listing; and

2) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 147 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 131 in the sequence listing;

(35) A Fab, F(ab′)2, Fv, scFv, a diabody, a linear antibody, or a multispecific antibody derived from antibodies according to any of (24) to (34);

(36) Any one polypeptide selected from the group consisting of the following 1) to 20):

1) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 119 of SEQ ID NO: 35 in the sequence listing;

2) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 119 of SEQ ID NO: 39 in the sequence listing;

3) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 112 of SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing;

4) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 112 of SEQ ID NO: 41 in the sequence listing;

5) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 107 in the sequence listing;

6) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 115 in the sequence listing;

7) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 of SEQ ID NO: 107 in the sequence listing;

8) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 of SEQ ID NO: 115 in the sequence listing;

9) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 91 in the sequence listing;

10) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 99 in the sequence listing;

11) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 of SEQ ID NO: 91 in the sequence listing;

12) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 of SEQ ID NO: 99 in the sequence listing;

13) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 139 in the sequence listing;

14) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 147 in the sequence listing;

15) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 of SEQ ID NO: 139 in the sequence listing;

16) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 of SEQ ID NO: 147 in the sequence listing;

17) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 123 in the sequence listing;

18) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 131 in the sequence listing;

19) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 of SEQ ID NO: 123 in the sequence listing; and

20) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 of SEQ ID NO: 131 in the sequence listing;

(37) The mouse hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836);

(38) The mouse hybridoma SH357-1 (FERM BP-10837);

(39) A pharmaceutical composition characterized by comprising at least one antibody selected from the antibodies according to (1) to (35);

(40) A pharmaceutical composition for cancer treatment characterized by comprising at least one antibody selected from the antibodies according to (1) to (35);

(41) A method for inhibiting tumor growth in a mammal, comprising administering any antibody selected from the group consisting of antibodies according to (1) to (35), (39), and (40);

(42) The method for inhibiting tumor growth according to (41), characterized in that the tumor is a tumor expressing EPHA2;

(43) A polynucleotide encoding an antibody or a polypeptide according to any one of (1) to (36);

(44) A host cell transformed with a polynucleotide according to (43); and

(45) A method for producing an antibody using a host cell according to (44).

Advantages of the Invention

According to the present invention, a novel anti-EPHA2 monoclonal antibody has been successfully obtained, which has no activity of inducing the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues and has ADCC and CDC activities against EPHA2-expressing cancer cells. Furthermore, it has been found that the antibody has excellent antitumor activity in vivo.

Furthermore, a pharmaceutical composition for cancer treatment comprising the antibody has been provided.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1. Definitions

In the present specification, the terms “cancer” and “tumor” are used in the same sense.

In the present specification, the term “gene” is meant to encompass not only DNA but also mRNA thereof, cDNA, and cRNA thereof. Thus, the term “EPHA2 gene” in the present invention encompasses EPHA2 DNA, mRNA, cDNA, and cRNA.

In the present specification, the term “polynucleotide” is used in the same sense as a nucleic acid and also encompasses DNA, RNA, probes, oligonucleotides, and primers.

In the present specification, the terms “polypeptide” and “protein” are used without being differentiated therebetween.

In the present specification, the term “cell” also encompasses cells in individual animal and cultured cells.

In the present specification, the term “cell malignant transformation” means that cells exhibit abnormal growth, for example, lose sensitivity to contact inhibition or exhibit anchorage-independent growth. Cells exhibiting such abnormal growth are referred to as “cancer cells”.

In the present specification, a protein having equivalent functions to the cell malignant transformation activity and/or cell growth activity or the like of EPHA2 is also referred to as EPHA2.

In the present specification, the term “phosphorylation of tyrosine residues” means that tyrosine residues contained in the amino acid sequence of a peptide are phosphorylated. Whether or not tyrosine residues are phosphorylated can be examined, for example, based on the affinity of the peptide for an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (e.g., Anti-Phosphotyrosine, recombinant 4G10 HRP-conjugate (manufactured by Millipore (Upstate), #16-184)). The tyrosine residues can be determined to be phosphorylated, when the peptide binds to the antibody.

In the present specification, the term “ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues” refers to an ability to phosphorylate tyrosine residues in the amino acid sequence of EPHA2. Whether or not an antibody has the ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues can be determined, for example, by incubating the antibody and EPHA2 and then examining the presence or absence of the affinity of the EPHA2 for an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody.

In the present specification, the phrase “decreasing an EPHA2 protein expression level” means that an EPHA2 protein level is decreased. Whether or not an antibody has an effect of decreasing an EPHA2 protein level can be examined, for example, by incubating the antibody and EPHA2 and then quantifying the EPHA2 level.

In the present specification, the term “EPHA2 ligand” refers to a substance capable of serving as an EPHA2 ligand. Specific examples thereof can include GPI-anchored plasma membrane proteins ephrin-A1 to ephrin-A5 (Annual Review of Neuroscience, 1998, vol. 21, p. 309-345).

In the present specification, the term “cytotoxicity” refers to any pathologic change in cells and refers not only to direct injury but also to any structural or functional damage to cells such as DNA cleavage, dimerization of bases, chromosomal breakage, damage of mitotic apparatus, and decrease in various enzyme activities.

In the present specification, the term “cytotoxic activity” refers to an activity that causes the cytotoxicity.

In the present specification, ADCC is synonymous with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and refers to a reaction through which Fcγ receptor-bearing cells adhere via the Fcγ receptors to the Fc portions of antibodies bound with surface antigens in target cells and kill the target cells. An ADCC activity is also referred to as an antibody-dependent cytotoxic activity and refers to an activity that causes the reaction. The ADCC activity can be measured by methods usually performed by those skilled in the art and can be measured, for example, according to a method described in paragraph 3)-2 of Example 3 in the present specification.

In the present specification, the term “CDC” is synonymous with complement-dependent cytotoxicity. A CDC activity refers to an activity that causes complement-dependent cytotoxicity. The CDC activity can be measured by methods usually performed by those skilled in the art and can be measured, for example, according to a method described in paragraph 3)-3 of Example 3 in the present specification.

In the present specification, the phrase “having an antitumor activity in vivo” means having the activity of inhibiting or reducing tumor growth in tumor-bearing animal individuals. Whether or not an anti-EPHA2 antibody “has an antitumor activity in vivo” can be examined by methods usually performed by those skilled in the art and can also be examined, for example, according to the following method: an appropriate dose of the anti-EPHA2 antibody is intraperitoneally administered as a test substance to tumor cell (e.g., MDA-MB-231 cell)-subcutaneously transplanted nude mice (e.g., BALB/cAJc1-nu/nu; obtained from CLEA Japan, Inc.), and the time-dependent change in tumor volume is compared between the nude mice and anti-EPHA2 antibody-unadministered controls. The anti-EPHA2 antibody as a test substance can be determined to “have an antitumor activity in vivo”, when the tumor volume is significantly smaller in the mice than in the controls.

Each of the heavy and light chains of an antibody molecule is known to have three complementarity determining regions (CDRs). In the present specification, the complementarity determining regions of an antibody are represented by CDRH₁, CDRH₂, and CDRH₃ for the complementarity determining regions of the heavy chain and by CDRL₁, CDRL₂, and CDRL₃ for the complementarity determining regions of the light chain.

In the present specification, the term “epitope” means an EPHA2 partial peptide having antigenicity and/or immunogenicity in vivo in animals, preferably, mammals, more preferably mice or humans. The epitope as an EPHA2 partial peptide having antigenicity can be determined by methods well known by those skilled in the art, such as by an immunoassay, and can be determined, for example, according to the following method in which various partial structures of EPHA2 are prepared. For the preparation of the partial structures, oligopeptide synthesis techniques known in the art can be used. For example, a series of sequentially shorter polypeptides of appropriate lengths from the C- or N-terminus of EPHA2 is prepared using a gene recombination technique well known by those skilled in the art. Then, the reactivity of the antibody to these polypeptides is studied. A recognition site is roughly determined, and shorter peptides are then synthesized. The reactivity to these peptides can be studied to thereby determine the epitope.

1. Regarding EPHA2

(1) EPHA2 Gene

The nucleotide sequence of the EPHA2 gene and the amino acid sequence thereof are recorded as EPH receptor A2 in GenBank (Accession NOs: NM_(—)004431 and NP_(—)004422, respectively). Moreover, the nucleotide sequence of an open reading frame (ORF) in the EPHA2 gene is described in SEQ ID NO: 1 in the sequence listing. The amino acid sequence thereof is described in SEQ ID NO: 2 in the sequence listing.

In this context, EPHA2 also encompasses proteins which consist of an amino acid sequence derived from the EPHA2 amino acid sequence by the substitution, deletion, or addition of one or more amino acids and have an equivalent biological activity to that of this enzyme.

(2) Cancer Site-Specific Expression of EPHA2 Gene

The EPHA2 gene has been reported to be highly expressed in many cancers, particularly, breast cancer, esophagus cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, and glioblastoma multiform.

Specifically, the expression level of EPHA2 in each cell and/or each tissue can be measured to thereby determine the state of malignant transformation and/or cancer cell growth that can be attributed to EPHA2 over-expression in test subjects.

Moreover, a substance that inhibits the expression level and/or activity of EPHA2 has an activity of inhibiting cell malignant transformation and/or cancer cell growth attributed to EPHA2.

Thus, test substances are contacted with EPHA2-expressing cells, and a substance that inhibits the expression level and/or activity of EPHA2 can be selected to thereby screen for an antitumor substance.

In this context, siRNA against EPHA2 inhibits EPHA2 expression and can be used as an antitumor agent. The siRNA against EPHA2 can be produced by: designing, based on the nucleotide sequence of EPHA2 mRNA, RNA consisting of a partial sequence of EPHA2 mRNA (sense RNA) and RNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the nucleotide sequence of the RNA (antisense RNA); synthesizing the RNAs by a chemical synthesis method known per se in the art; and hybridizing both the obtained RNAs. It is preferred that a sequence of one or more nucleotides called an overhang sequence should be bound to the 3′-end of each of the sense and antisense RNAs constituting the siRNA. The overhang sequence is not particularly limited as long as it protects the RNA from nuclease. Any sequence of preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 1 to 4, even more preferably 2 nucleotides can be used.

2. Antibody Against EPHA2

(1) Preparation of Antigen

Examples of antigens for obtaining the antibody of the present invention against EPHA2 can include a full-length polypeptide of EPHA2 and partial polypeptides thereof and can more specifically include a full-length polypeptide of EPHA2 and preferably an EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide (consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing), more preferably a partial polypeptide of the EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing, even more preferably a partial polypeptide of the EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 439 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing, and derivatives obtained by adding an arbitrary amino acid sequence or a carrier to these sequences. Further examples thereof can include polypeptides consisting of consecutive partial amino acid sequences of at least 6 amino acids and derivatives obtained by adding an arbitrary amino acid sequence or a carrier to these sequences.

In this context, the EPHA2 full-length polypeptide or the partial polypeptides thereof used as an antigen can be obtained by causing the EPHA2 gene or genes of the partial polypeptides to be expressed in host cells by genetic engineering.

EPHA2 can be directly purified, for use, from human tumor tissues or tumor cells. Moreover, the EPHA2 full-length polypeptide or the partial polypeptides thereof can be synthesized in vitro or obtained by causing host cells by genetic engineering to produce the polypeptide.

In the genetic engineering, specifically, genes encoding EPHA2 or partial polypeptides thereof are incorporated into vectors capable of expressing the EPHA2 or partial polypeptides thereof, and the EPHA2 or partial polypeptides thereof can then be synthesized in a solution containing enzymes, substrates, and energy substances necessary for transcription and translation. Alternatively, host cells of other prokaryotes or eukaryotes can be transformed therewith and caused to express the EPHA2 or partial polypeptides thereof to obtain the desired protein.

cDNA of the partial polypeptide of EPHA2 can be obtained, for example, by a so-called polymerase chain reaction (hereinafter, referred to as “PCR”) method in which PCR (see Saiki, R. K., et al. Science (1988) 239, p. 487-489) is performed using EPHA2-expressing cDNA libraries as templates and primers specifically amplifying EPHA2 cDNA or DNA encoding the partial polypeptide.

Examples of in vitro polypeptide synthesis include, but are not limited to, the Rapid Translation System (RTS) manufactured by Roche Diagnostics Corp.

Examples of the host prokaryotic cells include Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. To transform these host cells with the gene of interest, the host cells are transformed with plasmid vectors comprising a replicon, i.e., a replication origin, and a regulatory sequence derived from a species compatible with the hosts. Moreover, it is preferred that the vectors should have a sequence that can impart phenotypic character (phenotype) selectivity to the transformed cells.

The host eukaryotic cells encompass cells of vertebrates, insects, yeast, and the like. For example, monkey COS cells (Gluzman, Y. Cell (1981) 23, p. 175-182, ATCC CRL-1650), mouse fibroblasts NIH3T3 (ATCC No. CRL-1658), and dihydrofolate reductase-deficient strains (Urlaub, G. and Chasin, L. A., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1980) 77, p. 4126-4220) of Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO cells, ATCC CCL-61) are often used as the vertebrate cells, though the vertebrate cells are not limited thereto.

The transformants thus obtained can be cultured according to standard methods and are able within the culture to intracellularly or extracellularly produce the polypeptide of interest.

A medium used in the culture can be selected appropriately according to the adopted host cells from among various media routinely used. For Escherichia coli, for example, an LB medium optionally supplemented with an antibiotic (e.g., ampicillin) or IPTG can be used.

The recombinant protein intracellularly or extracellularly produced by the transformants in the culture can be separated and purified by various separation procedures known in the art using the physical properties, chemical properties, or the like of the protein.

The procedures can be exemplified specifically by treatment with usual protein precipitants, ultrafiltration, various liquid chromatography techniques such as molecular sieve chromatography (gel filtration), adsorption chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), dialysis, and combinations thereof.

Moreover, the recombinant protein to be expressed can be linked to 6 histidine residues to thereby efficiently purify the resulting protein on a nickel affinity column.

By combining these methods, the polypeptide of interest can be produced easily in large amounts with high yields and high purity.

The antibody of the present invention can be obtained by immunizing animals with the antigen according to a standard method and collecting antibodies produced in vivo, followed by purification.

Moreover, antibody-producing cells that produce the antibody against EPHA2 are fused with myeloma cells according to a method known in the art (e.g., Kohler and Milstein, Nature (1975) 256, p. 495-497; and Kennet, R. ed., Monoclonal Antibodies, p. 365-367, Plenum Press, N.Y. (1980)) to thereby establish hybridomas, from which monoclonal antibodies can also be obtained.

(2) Production of Anti-EPHA2 Monoclonal Antibody

Examples of antibodies which specifically bind to EPHA2 can include monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to EPHA2. A method for obtaining the antibodies is as described below.

For monoclonal antibody production, the following process is generally required:

(a) the step of purifying biopolymers used as antigens,

(b) the step of immunizing animals with the antigens through injection, then collecting blood from the animals, assaying the antibody titer thereof to determine the timing of splenectomy, and then preparing antibody-producing cells,

(c) the step of preparing myeloma cells (hereinafter, referred to as “myelomas”),

(d) the step of performing cell fusion between the antibody-producing cells and the myelomas,

(e) the step of selecting a hybridoma group that produces the antibody of interest,

(f) the step of dividing into single cell clones (cloning),

(g) the step of culturing the hybridomas for producing monoclonal antibodies in large amounts or raising hybridoma-transplanted animals, according to circumstances,

(h) the step of studying the bioactivities and binding specificities of the monoclonal antibodies thus produced or assaying properties as labeling reagents, etc.

Hereinafter, the method for preparing monoclonal antibodies will be described in detail in line with these steps, though the method for preparing antibodies is not limited thereto. For example, antibody-producing cells other than splenic cells and myelomas can also be used.

(a) Purification of Antigens

EPHA2 or partial polypeptides thereof prepared by the method as described above can be used as antigens.

Moreover, partial peptides of the protein of the present invention, which are chemically synthesized using membrane fractions prepared from EPHA2-expressing recombinant somatic cells or the EPHA2-expressing recombinant somatic cells themselves according to a method well known by those skilled in the art, can also be used as antigens.

(b) Preparation of Antibody-Producing Cells

The antigens obtained in step (a) are mixed with adjuvants well known by those skilled in the art, for example, complete or incomplete Freund's adjuvants, or other auxiliaries such as potassium aluminum sulfate, and experimental animals are immunized with these immunogens. Animals used in hybridoma preparation methods known in the art can be used as the experimental animals without problems. Specifically, for example, mice, rats, goats, sheep, cow, and horses can be used. However, mice or rats are preferably used as the animals to be immunized, from the viewpoint of the easy availability of myeloma cells to be fused with the extracted antibody-producing cells, etc.

Moreover, the lineages of the mice and rats actually used are not particularly limited. For example, mouse lineages such as A, AKR, BALB/c, BDP, BA, CE, C3H, 57BL, C57BR, C57L, DBA, FL, HTH, HT1, LP, NZB, NZW, RF, R III, SJL, SWR, WB, and 129 and rat lineages such as Low, Lewis, Sprague-Dawley, ACI, BN, and Fischer can be used.

These mice and rats can be obtained from, for example, experimental animal growers/distributors such as CLEA Japan, Inc. and Charles River Laboratories Japan, Inc.

Of these lineages, the mouse BALB/c lineage and the rat Low lineage are particularly preferable as the animals to be immunized, in consideration of fusion compatibility with myeloma cells as described later.

Moreover, mice having a reduced biological mechanism for autoantibody removal, i.e., autoimmune disease mice, are also preferably used in consideration of the antigenic homology between humans and mice.

These mice or rats are preferably 5 to 12 weeks old, more preferably 6 to 8 weeks old, at the time of immunization.

For the immunization of the animals with EPHA2 or the recombinant antigens thereof, methods known in the art described in detail in, for example, Weir, D. M., Handbook of Experimental Immunology Vol. I. II. III., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1987), and Kabat, E. A. and Mayer, M. M., Experimental Immunochemistry, Charles C. Thomas Publisher Springfield, Ill. (1964) can be used.

Of these immunization methods, a method preferable in the present invention is specifically illustrated as described below.

Specifically, the membrane protein fractions used as antigens or antigen-expressing cells are first administered intradermally or intraperitoneally to the animals.

However, the combined use of both of the administration routes is preferable for enhancing immunization efficiency. Immunization efficiency can be enhanced particularly by performing intradermal administration in early immunizations and performing intraperitoneal administration in later immunizations or only in the last immunization.

The administration schedule of the antigens differs depending on the type of animals to be immunized, the individual differences thereof, etc. The antigens are generally administered at 3 to 6 doses preferably at 2- to 6-week intervals, more preferably at 3 to 4 doses at 2- to 4-week intervals.

Moreover, the dose of the antigens differs depending on the type of animals, the individual differences thereof, etc., and is generally of the order of 0.05 to 5 mg, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mg.

A booster is performed 1 to 6 weeks later, preferably 2 to 4 weeks later, more preferably 2 to 3 weeks later, from such antigen administration.

In this context, the dose of the antigens in the booster differs depending on the type of animals, the size thereof, etc., and is generally of the order of 0.05 to 5 mg, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 mg, more preferably 0.1 to 0.2 mg, for example, for mice.

1 to 10 days later, preferably 2 to 5 days later, more preferably 2 to 3 days later, from the booster, splenic cells or lymphocytes containing antibody-producing cells are aseptically extracted from the animals to be immunized.

In this procedure, their antibody titers are measured, and animals having a sufficiently increased antibody titer can be used as sources of antibody-producing cells to thereby enhance the efficiency of the subsequent procedures.

Examples of methods for measuring the antibody titers used here can include, but not limited to, RIA and ELISA.

The antibody titer measurement according to the present invention can be performed by procedures as described below, for example, according to ELISA.

First, the purified or partially purified antigens are adsorbed onto the surface of a solid phase such as 96-well plates for ELISA. Furthermore, antigen-unadsorbed solid phase surface is covered with proteins unrelated to the antigens, for example, bovine serum albumin (hereinafter, referred to as “BSA”). The surfaces are washed and then contacted with serially diluted samples (e.g., mouse serum) as primary antibodies such that the antibodies in the samples are bound to the antigens.

Furthermore, enzyme-labeled antibodies against the mouse antibodies are added thereto as secondary antibodies such that the secondary antibodies are bound to the mouse antibodies. After washing, substrates for the enzyme are added thereto, and, for example, the change in absorbance caused by color development based on substrate degradation is measured to thereby calculate antibody titers.

The antibody-producing cells can be separated from these spleen cells or lymphocytes according to methods known in the art (e.g., Kohler et al., Nature (1975) 256, p. 495; Kohler et al., Eur. J. Immunol. (1977) 6, p. 511; Milstein et al., Nature (1977), 266, p. 550; and Walsh, Nature, (1977) 266, p. 495).

For example, for the spleen cells, a general method can be adopted, which involves cutting the cells into strips, filtering them through a stainless mesh, and then separating the antibody-producing cells therefrom by floating in Eagle's minimal essential medium (MEM).

(C) Preparation of Myeloma Cells (Hereinafter, Referred to as “Myelomas”)

Myeloma cells used in cell fusion are not particularly limited and can be selected appropriately, for use, from cell strains known in the art. However, HGPRT (hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase)-deficient strains for which selection methods have been established are preferably used in consideration of convenient hybridoma selection from fused cells.

Specific examples thereof include: mouse-derived X63-Ag8 (X63), NS1-ANS/1 (NS1), P3X63-Ag8.U1 (P3U1), X63-Ag8.653 (X63.653), SP2/0-Ag14 (SP2/0), MPC11-45.6TG1.7 (45.6TG), FO, S149/5XXO, and BU.1; rat-derived 210.RSY3.Ag.1.2.3 (Y3); and human-derived U266AR (SKO-007), GM1500.GTG-A12 (GM1500), UC729-6, LICR-LON-HMy2 (HMy2), and 8226AR/NIP4-1 (NP41).

These HGPRT-deficient strains can be obtained from, for example, American Type Culture Collection (ATCC).

These cell strains are subcultured in an appropriate medium, for example, an 8-azaguanine medium [RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with glutamine, 2-mercaptoethanol, gentamicin, and fetal bovine serum (hereinafter, referred to as “FBS”) and further supplemented with 8-azaguanine], an Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (hereinafter, referred to as “IMDM”), or a Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (hereinafter, referred to as “DMEM”) and subcultured in a normal medium [e.g., an ASF104 medium (manufactured by Ajinomoto Co., Inc.) containing 10% FBS] 3 to 4 days before cell fusion. On the day of fusion, 2×10⁷ or more cells are secured.

(d) Cell Fusion

Fusion between the antibody-producing cells and the myeloma cells can be performed appropriately under conditions that do not excessively reduce the cell survival rates, according to methods known in the art (e.g., Weir, D. M., Handbook of Experimental Immunology Vol. I. II. III., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1987); and Kabat, E. A. and Mayer, M. M., Experimental Immunochemistry, Charles C. Thomas Publisher Springfield, Ill. (1964)).

For example, a chemical method which involves mixing the antibody-producing cells and the myeloma cells in a high-concentration polymer (e.g., polyethylene glycol) solution and a physical method which uses electric stimulations can be used as such methods.

Of these methods, the chemical method is specifically exemplified as described below.

Specifically, when polyethylene glycol is used as a polymer in the high-concentration polymer solution, the antibody-producing cells and the myeloma cells are mixed in a solution of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 1500 to 6000, preferably 2000 to 4000, at a temperature of 30 to 40° C., preferably 35 to 38° C., for 1 to 10 minutes, preferably 5 to 8 minutes.

(e) Selection of Hybridoma Group

A method for selecting the hybridomas obtained by the cell fusion is not particularly limited, and a HAT (hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine) selection method (Kohler et al., Nature (1975) 256, p. 495; and Milstein et al., Nature (1977) 266, p. 550) is usually used.

This method is effective for obtaining hybridomas using HGPRT-deficient myeloma cell strains that cannot survive in aminopterin.

Specifically, unfused cells and the hybridomas can be cultured in a HAT medium to thereby cause only aminopterin-resistant hybridomas to remain and grow.

(f) Dividing into Single Cell Clones (Cloning)

For example, methods known in the art, such as methylcellulose, soft agarose, and limiting dilution methods can be used as methods for cloning the hybridomas (see e.g., Barbara, B. M. and Stanley, M. S.: Selected Methods in Cellular Immunology, W.H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco (1980)). Of these methods, the limiting dilution method is particularly preferable.

In this method, feeders such as rat fetus-derived fibroblast strains or normal mouse splenic, thymus, or ascites cells are inoculated onto a microplate.

On the other hand, the hybridomas are diluted to 0.2 to 0.5 individuals/0.2 ml in advance in a medium. This solution containing the diluted hybridomas floating therein is added at a concentration of 0.1 ml/well, and the hybridomas can be continuously cultured for approximately 2 weeks while approximately ⅓ of the medium is replaced with a new one at regular intervals (e.g., 3-day intervals), to thereby grow hybridoma clones.

For wells having an observable antibody titer, for example, cloning by the limiting dilution method is repeated 2 to 4 times, and clones whose antibody titer is stably observed can be selected as anti-EPHA2 monoclonal antibody-producing hybridoma strains.

Examples of the hybridoma strains thus cloned can include hybridoma SH348-1 and hybridoma SH357-1. Hybridoma SH348-1 and hybridoma SH357-1 have been deposited on Jun. 8, 2007 with International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, (address: Tsukuba Central 6, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan). Hybridoma SH348-1 has been designated as SH348-1 with Accession No. FERM BP-10836, and hybridoma SH357-1 has been designated as SH357-1 with Accession No. FERM BP-10837.

In the present specification, an antibody produced by hybridoma SH348-1 is referred to as “SH348-1”, and an antibody produced by hybridoma SH357-1 is referred to as “SH357-1”.

(g) Preparation of Monoclonal Antibodies by Hybridoma Culture

The hybridomas thus selected can be cultured to thereby efficiently obtain monoclonal antibodies. Prior to the culture, it is preferred that hybridomas producing the monoclonal antibody of interest should be screened.

For this screening, methods known per se in the art can be adopted.

The antibody titer measurement according to the present invention can be performed, for example, by ELISA as described in paragraph (b).

The hybridomas obtained by the method as described above can be cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen or in a freezer at −80° C. or lower.

Moreover, the completely cloned hybridomas can be passaged several times in a HT medium (HAT medium except for aminopterin) and then cultured in a normal medium changed therefrom.

Large-scale culture is performed by rotational culture using large culture bottles or spinner culture.

A supernatant obtained in this large-scale culture can be purified according to methods well known by those skilled in the art, such as gel filtration, to obtain monoclonal antibodies which specifically bind to the protein of the present invention.

Moreover, the hybridomas can be intraperitoneally injected to mice of the same lineage thereas (e.g., BALB/c) or Nu/Nu mice and grown to obtain ascites containing the monoclonal antibody of the present invention in large amounts.

For the intraperitoneal administration, mineral oil such as 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl pentadecane (pristane) is administered beforehand (3 to 7 days before the administration) to obtain ascites in larger amounts.

For example, an immunosuppressive agent is intraperitoneally injected in advance to the mice of the same lineage as the hybridomas to inactivate the T cells. 20 days later, 10⁶ to 10⁷ hybridoma clone cells are allowed to float (0.5 ml) in a serum-free medium, and this solution is intraperitoneally administered to the mice. Ascites are usually collected from the mice when abdominal distention occurs by accumulated ascites.

By this method, monoclonal antibodies are obtained with a concentration approximately 100 times higher than that in the culture solution.

The monoclonal antibodies obtained by the method can be purified by methods described in, for example, Weir, D. M.: Handbook of Experimental Immunology, Vol. I, II, III, Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1978).

Specific examples thereof include ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, and affinity chromatography.

For the purification, commercially available monoclonal antibody purification kits (e.g., MAbTrap GII Kit; manufactured by Pharmacia Inc.) and the like can also be used as convenient methods.

The monoclonal antibodies thus obtained have high antigen specificity for EPHA2.

(h) Assay of Monoclonal Antibodies

The isotype and subclass of the monoclonal antibodies thus obtained can be determined as described below.

First, examples of identification methods include the Ouchterlony method, ELISA, and RIA.

The Ouchterlony method is convenient but requires a concentration procedure for a low concentration of monoclonal antibodies.

On the other hand, when the ELISA or RIA is used, the culture supernatant is directly reacted with an antigen-adsorbed solid phase, and further, antibodies compatible with various immunoglobulin isotypes and subclasses can be used as secondary antibodies to thereby identify the isotype or subclass of the monoclonal antibodies.

Moreover, commercially available kits for identification (e.g., Mouse Typer Kit; manufactured by Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.) and the like can also be used as more convenient methods.

Furthermore, the proteins can be quantified according to a Folin-Lowry method and a calculation method using absorbance at 280 nm [1.4 (OD280)=1 mg/ml immunoglobulin].

(3) Other Antibodies

The antibody of the present invention encompasses the monoclonal antibody against EPHA2 as well as genetic recombinant antibodies artificially modified for the purpose of, for example, reducing xenoantigenicity against humans, for example, chimeric, humanized, and human antibodies. These antibodies can be produced according to known methods.

Examples of the chimeric antibody include an antibody having variable and constant regions derived from species different from each other and specifically include a chimeric antibody comprising mouse-derived variable regions and human-derived constant regions joined together (see Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 81, 6851-6855, (1984)).

Examples of the humanized antibody can include an antibody comprising a human-derived antibody with complementarity determining regions (CDRs) replaced with those of another species (see Nature (1986) 321, p. 522-525) and an antibody comprising a human antibody with CDR sequences and some framework amino acid residues replaced with those of another species by CDR grafting (see WO 90/07861 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,323).

Further examples of the antibody of the present invention can include an anti-human antibody. The anti-EPHA2 human antibody means a human antibody having only the gene sequence of a human chromosome-derived antibody. The anti-EPHA2 human antibody can be obtained by methods using human antibody-producing mice having a human chromosome fragment containing genes of human antibody H and L chains (see e.g., Tomizuka, K. et al., Nature Genetics (1997) 16, p. 133-143; Kuroiwa, Y. et al., Nucl. Acids Res. (1998) 26, p. 3447-3448; Yoshida, H. et al., Animal Cell Technology: Basic and Applied Aspects vol. 10, p. 69-73 (Kitagawa, Y., Matsuda, T. and Iijima, S. eds.), Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1999; and Tomizuka, K. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2000) 97, p. 722-727).

For such transgenic animals, specifically, genetic recombinant animals in which loci of endogenous immunoglobulin heavy and light chains in non-human mammals are broken and loci of human immunoglobulin heavy and light chains are introduced instead via yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) vectors or the like can be created by preparing knockout animals and transgenic animals and crossing these animals.

Moreover, eukaryotic cells are transformed with cDNA encoding each of such human antibody heavy and light chains, preferably vectors containing the cDNA, by gene recombination techniques, and transformed cells producing genetic recombinant human monoclonal antibodies can also be cultured to thereby obtain these antibodies from the culture supernatant.

In this context, for example, eukaryotic cells, preferably mammalian cells such as CHO cells, lymphocytes, and myelomas can be used as hosts.

Moreover, methods for obtaining phage-displayed human antibodies selected from human antibody libraries are also known (see e.g., Wormstone, I. M. et al., Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. (2002) 43 (7), p. 2301-2308; Carmen, S. et al., Briefings in Functional Genomics and Proteomics (2002), 1 (2), p. 189-203; and Siriwardena, D. et al., Ophthalmology (2002) 109 (3), p. 427-431).

For example, a phage display method can be used, which involves causing human antibody variable regions to be expressed as a single-chain antibody (scFv) on phage surface and selecting phages binding to antigens (Nature Biotechnology (2005), 23, (9), p. 1105-1116).

Likewise, another phage display method can also be used, which involves causing human antibody Fab (antigen-binding fragment) to be expressed on the surface of phage and selecting phages binding to antigens (WO 97/08320 and WO 01/05950).

Genes of the phages selected based on antigen binding can be analyzed to thereby determine DNA sequences encoding human antibody variable regions binding to the antigens.

When the DNA sequence of scFv or Fab binding to the antigens is clarified, CDR sequences are extracted therefrom, and expression vectors having the sequences can be prepared and introduced into appropriate hosts, followed by gene expression to obtain human antibodies (WO 92/01047, WO 92/20791, WO 93/06213, WO 93/11236, WO 93/19172, WO 95/01438, WO 95/15388, Annu Rev. Immunol (1994) 12, p. 433-455, and Nature Biotechnology (2005) 23 (9), p. 1105-1116).

The antibody genes can be temporarily isolated and then introduced into appropriate hosts to prepare antibodies. In such a case, appropriate hosts and expression vectors can be combined for use.

When eukaryotic cells are used as hosts, animal cells, plant cells, and eukaryotic microorganisms can be used.

Examples of the animal cells can include (1) mammalian cells, for example, monkey COS cells (Gluzman, Y. Cell (1981) 23, p. 175-182, ATCC CRL-1650), mouse fibroblasts NIH3T3 (ATCC No. CRL-1658), and dihydrofolate reductase-deficient strains (Urlaub, G. and Chasin, L. A. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (1980) 77, p. 4126-4220) of Chinese hamster ovarian cells (CHO cells, ATCC CCL-61).

Moreover, these hosts can also be modified, for use, to express antibodies having a modified sugar chain structure and an enhanced ADCC activity (antibody-dependent cytotoxic activity) or CDC activity. Examples of such hosts can include CHO cells comprising genes incorporated therein which encode antibody molecules producing antibody compositions in which sugar chains having fucose-unbound N-acetylglucosamine at the reducing ends thereof occupy 20% or more of complex-type N-glycoside linked sugar chains binding to antibody Fc regions (see WO 02/31140).

When prokaryotic cells are used, examples thereof can include Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis.

The antibody gene of interest is introduced into these cells by transformation, and the transformed cells are cultured in vitro to obtain antibodies.

The isotype of the antibody of the present invention is not limited, and examples thereof include IgG (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4), IgM, IgA (IgA1 or IgA2), IgD, and IgE and can preferably include IgG and IgM.

Moreover, the antibody of the present invention may be an antibody fragment having the antigen-binding site of the antibody or a modified form thereof.

Examples of the antibody fragment include Fab, F(ab′)2, Fv, single-chain Fv (scFv) comprising heavy and light chain Fvs linked via an appropriate linker, a diabody, a linear antibody, and a multispecific antibody formed by antibody fragments.

Furthermore the antibody of the present invention may be a multispecific antibody having specificity for at least two different antigens.

Such a molecule usually binds two antigens (i.e., a bispecific antibody). The “multispecific antibody” according to the present invention encompasses antibodies having specificity for more (e.g., three) antigens.

The multispecific antibody used as the antibody of the present invention may be a full-length antibody or a fragment of such an antibody (e.g., a F(ab′)2 bispecific antibody). The bispecific antibody can be prepared by binding heavy and light chains (HL pairs) of two antibodies or can also be prepared by fusing hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies different from each other to prepare bispecific antibody-producing fused cells (Millstein et al., Nature (1983) 305, p. 537-539).

The antibody of the present invention may be a single-chain antibody (also referred to as scFv). The single-chain antibody is obtained by linking antibody heavy and light chain V regions via a polypeptide linker (Pluckthun, The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, 113 (Rosenberg and Moore ed., Springer Verlag, New York, p. 269-315 (1994)); and Nature Biotechnology (2005), 23, p. 1126-1136).

Methods for preparing the single-chain antibody are well known in the art (see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,946,778, 5,260,203, 5,091,513, and 5,455,030). In this scFv, the heavy and light chain V regions are linked via a linker that does not form a conjugate, preferably a polypeptide linker (Huston, J. S. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (1988), 85, p. 5879-5883). The heavy and light chain V regions in the scFv may be derived from the same antibodies or may be derived from different antibodies.

For example, an arbitrary single-chain peptide of 12 to 19 residues is used as the peptide linker for linking the V regions.

DNA encoding the scFv is obtained by: amplifying, as templates, the full-length sequences or partial sequences (encoding the desired amino acid sequences) of DNA encoding the heavy chain or heavy chain V region of the antibody and DNA encoding the light chain or light chain V region thereof, by a PCR method using primer pairs designed for both ends thereof; and subsequently further amplifying DNA encoding the peptide linker portion in combination with a primer pair designed to respectively link both ends of the linker sequence to the heavy and light chain sequences.

Moreover, once the DNA encoding the scFv is prepared, expression vectors containing the DNA and hosts transformed with the expression vectors can be obtained according to standard methods. Moreover, by use of the hosts, the scFv can be obtained according to standard methods.

For these antibody fragments, their genes are obtained and expressed in the same way as above, and the hosts can be allowed to produce the antibody fragments.

The antibody of the present invention may be a polyclonal antibody, which is a mixture of a plurality of anti-EPHA2 antibodies differing in amino acid sequences. One example of the polyclonal antibody can include a mixture of a plurality of antibodies differing in CDRs. A mixture of cells producing antibodies different from each other is cultured, and antibodies purified from the culture can be used as such polyclonal antibodies (see WO 2004/061104).

Antibodies obtained by binding the antibody of the present invention with various molecules such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) can also be used as the modified form of the antibody.

Furthermore, the antibody of the present invention may be a conjugate of these antibodies formed with other drugs (immunoconjugate). Examples of such an antibody can include conjugates obtained by binding these antibodies to radioactive materials or compounds having a pharmacological effect (Nature Biotechnology (2005) 23, p. 1137-1146).

The obtained antibodies can be purified until homogeneous. In the antibody separation and purification, any separation/purification method used for usual proteins can be used.

The antibodies can be separated and purified by appropriately selecting and combining, for example, using chromatography columns, filters, ultrafiltration, salting-out, dialysis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for preparation, and isoelectric focusing (Strategies for Protein Purification and Characterization: A Laboratory Course Manual, Daniel R. Marshak et al. eds., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1996); and Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual. Ed Harlow and David Lane, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988)), though the separation/purification method is not limited thereto.

Examples of chromatography include affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, gel filtration, reverse-phase chromatography, and adsorption chromatography.

These chromatography techniques can be performed using liquid-phase chromatography such as HPLC or FPLC.

Examples of columns used in the affinity chromatography include protein A and protein G columns.

Examples of columns based on the protein A column include Hyper D, POROS, Sepharose F.F. (Pharmacia Inc.).

Moreover, the antibodies can also be purified through their affinity for antigens using an antigen-immobilized carrier.

3. Properties of Antibody of the Present Invention

The anti-EPHA2 antibody of the present invention obtained by the method has the following properties:

(1) one antibody of the present invention has the following properties a) to e):

a) having no ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

b) having an ADCC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

c) having a CDC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

d) having an antitumor activity in vivo; and

e) specifically binding to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing.

Examples of the antibody having such properties can include any one antibody selected from the group consisting of the following 1) to 8):

1) SH348-1,

2) an antibody which recognizes an epitope recognized by an antibody produced by hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836),

3) an antibody which has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 59, 61, and 63 in the sequence listing as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain variable region and has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 65, 67, and 69 in the sequence listing as complementarity determining regions in the light chain variable region,

4) an antibody characterized by the following i) and ii):

i) having a heavy chain peptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (I): -FRH₁-CDRH₁-FRH₂-CDRH₂-FRH₃-CDRH₃-FRH₄-  (I)

wherein FRH₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 18 to 30 amino acids; CDRH₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 59 in the sequence listing; FRH₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 14 amino acids; CDRH₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 61 in the sequence listing; FRH₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRH₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 63 in the sequence listing; and FRH₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 11 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds; and

ii) having a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (II): -FRL₁-CDRL₁-FRL₂-CDRL₂-FRL₃-CDRL₃-FRL₄-  (II)

wherein FRL₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 23 amino acids; CDRL₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 65 in the sequence listing; FRL₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 15 amino acids; CDRL₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 67 in the sequence listing; FRL₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRL₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 69 in the sequence listing; and FRL₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 10 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds.

5) SH357-1,

6) an antibody which recognizes an epitope recognized by an antibody produced by hybridoma SH357-1 (FERM BP-10837),

7) an antibody which has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 71, 73, and 75 in the sequence listing as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain variable region and has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 77, 79, and 81 in the sequence listing as complementarity determining regions in the light chain variable region,

8) an antibody according to any one of (5) to (7), characterized by the following i) and ii):

i) having a heavy chain peptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (I): -FRH₁-CDRH₁-FRH₂-CDRH₂-FRH₃-CDRH₃-FRH₄-  (I)

wherein FRH₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 18 to 30 amino acids sequences; CDRH₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 71 in the sequence listing; FRH₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 14 amino acids; CDRH₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 73 in the sequence listing; FRH₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRH₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 75 in the sequence listing; and FRH₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 11 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds; and

ii) having a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (II): -FRL₁-CDRL₁-FRL₂-CDRL₂-FRL₃-CDRL₃-FRL₄-  (II)

wherein FRL₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 23 amino acids; CDRL₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 77 in the sequence listing; FRL₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 15 amino acids; CDRL₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 79 in the sequence listing; FRL₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRL₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 81 in the sequence listing; and FRL₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 10 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds.

(2) another antibody of the present invention has the following properties a) to f):

a) having no ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

b) exhibiting an effect of decreasing an EPHA2 protein level;

c) having an ADCC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

d) having a CDC activity against EPHA2-expressing cells;

e) having an antitumor activity in vivo; and

f) specifically binding to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing.

Examples of the antibody having such properties can include any one antibody selected from the group consisting of the following 1) to 4):

1) SH348-1,

2) an antibody which recognizes an epitope recognized by an antibody produced by hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836),

3) an antibody which has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 59, 61, and 63 in the sequence listing as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain variable region and has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 65, 67, and 69 in the sequence listing as complementarity determining regions in the light chain variable region,

4) an antibody characterized by the following i) and ii):

i) having a heavy chain peptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (I): -FRH₁-CDRH₁-FRH₂-CDRH₂-FRH₃-CDRH₃-FRH₄-  (I)

wherein FRH₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 18 to 30 amino acids; CDRH₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 59 in the sequence listing; FRH₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 14 amino acids; CDRH₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 61 in the sequence listing; FRH₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRH₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 63 in the sequence listing; and FRH₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 11 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds; and

ii) having a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (II): -FRL₁-CDRL₁-FRL₂-CDRL₂-FRL₃-CDRL₃-FRL₄-  (II)

wherein FRL₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 23 amino acids; CDRL₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 65 in the sequence listing; FRL₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 15 amino acids; CDRL₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 67 in the sequence listing; FRL₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRL₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 69 in the sequence listing; and FRL₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 10 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds.

(3) another antibody of the present invention has the following properties a) to e):

a) having no ability to phosphorylate EPHA2 tyrosine residues;

b) exhibiting no effect of decreasing an EPHA2 protein level;

c) having an ADCC activity;

d) having a CDC activity;

e) having an antitumor activity in vivo; and

f) specifically binding to a polypeptide consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing.

Examples of the antibody having such properties can include any one antibody selected from the group consisting of the following 1) to 4):

1) SH357-1,

2) an antibody which recognizes an epitope recognized by an antibody produced by hybridoma SH357-1 (FERM BP-10836),

3) an antibody which has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 71, 73, and 75 in the sequence listing as complementarity determining regions in the heavy chain variable region and has the amino acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOs: 77, 79, and 81 in the sequence listing as complementarity determining regions in the light chain variable region,

4) an antibody having the following properties i) and ii):

i) having a heavy chain peptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (I): -FRH₁-CDRH₁-FRH₂-CDRH₂-FRH₃-CDRH₃-FRH₄-  (I)

wherein FRH₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 18 to 30 amino acids; CDRH₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 71 in the sequence listing; FRH₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 14 amino acids; CDRH₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 73 in the sequence listing; FRH₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRH₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 75 in the sequence listing; and FRH₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 11 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds; and

ii) having a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by the general formula (II): -FRL₁-CDRL₁-FRL₂-CDRL₂-FRL₃-CDRL₃-FRL₄-  (II)

wherein FRL₁ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 23 amino acids; CDRL₁ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 77 in the sequence listing; FRL₂ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 15 amino acids; CDRL₂ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 79 in the sequence listing; FRL₃ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 32 amino acids; CDRL₃ represents the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 81 in the sequence listing; and FRL₄ represents an arbitrary amino acid sequence consisting of 10 amino acids, wherein these amino acids are linked to each other through peptide bonds.

4. Pharmaceutical Agent Comprising Anti-EPHA2 Antibody

The anti-EPHA2 antibody of the present invention is useful as a pharmaceutical agent, particularly, a pharmaceutical composition intended for cancer treatment, or as an antibody for immunological diagnosis of such disease.

Preferable examples of cancer types can include, but not limited to, breast cancer, esophagus cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, and glioblastoma multiforme.

The present invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the anti-EPHA2 antibody and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, solubilizing agent, emulsifying agent, preservative, and/or adjuvant.

It is preferred that the substances pharmaceutically used that are acceptable in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention should be nontoxic, at the dose or administration concentration used, to individuals that receive the pharmaceutical composition.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can contain a pharmaceutical substance for changing, maintaining, or retaining pH, osmotic pressure, viscosity, transparency, color, isotonicity, sterility, stability, the rate of dissolution, the rate of sustained release, absorptivity, or permeability.

Examples of the pharmaceutical substance can include, but not limited to, the following: amino acids such as glycine, alanine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine, and lysine; antimicrobial agents; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, sodium sulfate, and sodium bisulfite; buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and borate buffers, hydrogen carbonate, and Tris-HCl solutions; fillers such as mannitol and glycine; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); complexing agents such as caffeine, polyvinyl pyrrolidine, β-cyclodextrin, and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin; extenders such as glucose, mannose, and dextrin; monosaccharides, disaccharides, glucose, mannose, and other hydrocarbons such as dextrin; coloring agents; flavoring agents; diluents; emulsifying agents; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidine; low-molecular-weight polypeptides; salt-forming counterions; antiseptics such as benzalkonium chloride, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, thimerosal, phenethyl alcohol, methylparaben, propylparaben, chlorhexidine, sorbic acid, and hydrogen peroxide; solvents such as glycerin, propylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol; sugar alcohols such as mannitol and sorbitol; suspending agents; surfactants such as PEG, sorbitan ester, polysorbates such as polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80, Triton, tromethamine, lecithin, and cholesterol; stability enhancers such as sucrose and sorbitol; elasticity enhancers such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, mannitol, and sorbitol; delivery vehicles; diluents; excipients; and/or pharmaceutical adjuvants.

The amounts of these pharmaceutical substances added are preferably 0.01 to 100 times, particularly, 0.1 to 10 times higher than the weight of the anti-EPHA2 antibody.

In this context, the present invention also encompasses a pharmaceutical composition containing an immunoliposome containing the anti-EPHA2 antibody in a liposome or the anti-EPHA2 antibody bound with a liposome (U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,388).

The preferable composition of the pharmaceutical composition in a preparation can be determined appropriately by those skilled in the art according to applicable disease, an applicable administration route, etc.

The excipients or carriers in the pharmaceutical composition may be liquid or solid. The appropriate excipients or carriers may be injectable water, saline, cerebrospinal fluids, or other substances usually used in parenteral administration.

Neutral saline or serum albumin-containing saline can also be used as a carrier. The pharmaceutical composition can also contain a Tris buffer (pH 7.0 to 8.5) or an acetate buffer (pH 4.0 to 5.5) as well as sorbitol or other compounds. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is prepared in a freeze-dried or liquid form as an appropriate drug having the selected composition and necessary purity.

The pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-EPHA2 antibody can also be prepared in a freeze-dried form using an appropriate excipient such as sucrose.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be prepared for parenteral administration or can also be prepared for gastrointestinal absorption.

The composition and concentration of the preparation can be determined depending on an administration method. When the anti-EPHA2 antibody contained in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention has higher affinity for EPHA2, i.e., higher affinity (lower Kd value) for EPHA2 with respect to a dissociation constant (Kd value), the drug containing this antibody can be efficacious at a lower dose in humans. Based on this result, the dose of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention in human can also be determined.

The dose of the anti-EPHA2 antibody in humans may be usually be approximately 0.1 to 100 mg/kg once per 1 to 180 days.

Examples of dosage forms of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention include injections including drip, suppositories, nasal agents, sublingual agents, and transdermally absorbable agents.

The administration of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can inhibit the growth of EPHA2-expressing tumors.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the Examples. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to them.

In the Examples below, procedures related to genetic engineering were performed according to the methods described in “Molecular Cloning”, (Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F., and Maniatis, T., published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1989) or methods described in other experimental manuals used by those skilled in the art or according to instructions included in the commercially available reagents or kits used, unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 Preparation of Plasmid

1)-1 Preparation of Vectors Expressing Human EPHA2

1)-1-1 Preparation of a Vector Expressing Full-Length Human EPHA2

cDNA encoding human EPHA2 was amplified by PCR reaction using cDNA synthesized from SK-OV-3 cell-derived total RNA as the template and a primer set:

Primer 1:  (sequence listing sequence ID No. 3) 5′-ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggcttcggggatcg gaccgagagcgagaag-3′; and Primer 2:  (sequence listing sequence ID No. 4) 5′-ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggtcctagatggg gatccccacagtgttcacctggtcctt-3′.

The PCR product was incorporated into pDONR221 (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) using BP Clonase (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) to prepare an entry vector. The stop codon was removed from the EPHA2 gene in the entry vector using GeneTailor Site-Directed Mutagenesis System (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) and a primer set:

Primer 3: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 5) 5′-ctgtggggatccccatcgacccagctttc-3′; and Primer 4: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 6) 5′-gatggggatccccacagtgttcacctggtc-3′.

Recombination reaction between the obtained entry vector and the pcDNA-DEST40 Gateway Vector (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) was performed using LR Clonase (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) to prepare pcDNA-DEST40-EPHA2 (the present vector has the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 7 in the sequence listing, between attB1 and attB2 sequences). Moreover, the sequence of the ORF portion of the EPHA2 gene cloned into the present vector is represented by nucleotide Nos. 33 to 2960 of SEQ ID NO: 7 in the sequence listing. Moreover, the amino acid sequence of EPHA2 is represented by SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing.

1)-1-2 Preparation of EPHA2 Extracellular Region Expression Vector

cDNA encoding a human EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide (consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing; hereinafter, abbreviated to “EPHA2-ECD”) was amplified by PCR reaction using a primer set:

Primer 5: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 9) 5′-aaaaagcttatggagctccaggcagcccgc-3′; and Primer 6: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 10) 5′-aaagggccctcagttgccagatccctccgg-3′.

The obtained PCR product was cleaved with HindIII and ApaI and cloned into the HindIII/ApaI site of pcDNA3.1 (hereinafter, the resulting vector is abbreviated to “pcDNA3.1-EPHA2-ECD”; and in the description below and the drawings, the recombinant protein expressed by “pcDNA3.1-EPHA2-ECD” is referred to as “rEPHA2-ECD”).

1)-1-3 Preparation of Expression Vectors of Truncated EPHA2 Proteins

To construct vectors expressing a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 315 to 540 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing of EPHA2 (hereinafter, referred to as “FnIII-NC”), a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 315 to 430 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “FnIII-N”), or a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 540 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “FnIII-C”), PCR reactions with pcDNA-DEST40-EPHA2 as the templates were performed using each primer set:

Primer Set for FnIII-NC Amplification:

Primer 7:  (sequence listing sequence ID No. 11) 5′-gcaggatcatcgaaggtcgtgggcgggcacctcaggacccag-3′; and Primer 8: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 12) 5′-gtacaagaaagctgggtgctagccgccaatcaccgccaag-3′;

Primer Set for FnIII-N Amplification:

Primer 7, and Primer 9: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 13) 5′-gtacaagaaagctgggtgctaggcagtacggaagctgcgg-3′;

Primer Set for FnIII-C Amplification:

Primer 10:  (sequence listing sequence ID No. 14) 5′-gcaggcttcatcgaaggtcgtgggagatccgtactgccagtg-3′; and Primer 8.

To add attB1 and attB2 sites to both ends of the obtained PCR products, PCR reaction with each PCR product as a template was performed using a primer set:

Primer 11: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 15) 5′-ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggcttcatcgaaggtcgtgg g-3′; and Primer 12: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 16) 5′-ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggt-3′.

The PCR products obtained in this procedure were incorporated into pDONR221 using BP Clonase to prepare entry vectors. Recombination reactions between each entry vector and a destination vector prepared by cleaving the NdeI and BamHI sites of pET15b (manufactured by Novagen) with restriction enzymes, blunting the cleaved sites, and then ligating Reading Frame Cassette C.1 of Gateway Vector Conversion System (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) into the blunted sites were performed using LR Clonase in order to prepare expression vectors (hereinafter, recombinant proteins expressed by the FnIII-NC-, FnIII-N-, and FnIII-C-incorporated expression vectors are referred to as rFnIII-NC, rFnIII-N, and rFnIII-C, respectively).

1)-2 Preparation of Human EPHB2 Extracellular Region Expression Vector

cDNA encoding human EPHB2 was obtained by PCR reaction using cDNA synthesized from HCC70 cell-derived total RNA as the template and a primer set:

Primer 13:  (sequence listing sequence ID No. 17) 5′-ggggacaagtttgtacaaaaaagcaggatcgccccgggaagcgcag cc-3′; and Primer 14: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 18) 5′-ggggaccactttgtacaagaaagctgggtcctaaacctccacagac tgaatctggttcatctg-3′.

The nucleotide sequence of human EPHB2 cDNA is represented by SEQ ID NO: 19 in the sequence listing. The amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 20 in the sequence listing. PCR reaction was performed using a primer set for amplifying cDNA encoding a human EPHB2 extracellular region (region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 542 of SEQ ID NO: 20 in the sequence listing) (hereinafter, abbreviated to “EPHB2-ECD”):

Primer 15: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 21) 5′-aaaaagcttatggctctgcggaggctgggg-3′; and Primer 16:  (sequence listing sequence ID No. 22) 5′-aaagatatctcatggcaacttctcctggat-3′.

The obtained PCR product was cleaved with HindIII and EcoRV and cloned into the HindIII/EcoRV site of pcDNA3.1 (hereinafter, the resulting vector is abbreviated to “pcDNA3.1-EPHB2-ECD”; and in the description below and the drawings, the recombinant protein expressed by “pcDNA3.1-EPHB2-ECD” is referred to as rEPHB2-ECD).

1)-3 Preparation of human ERBB2 expression vector

PCR reaction with Human clone collection (manufactured by STRATAGENE, #C33830) as the template was performed using a primer set:

Primer 17: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 23) 5′-caccatggagctggcggccttg-3′; and Primer 18: (sequence listing sequence ID No. 24) 5′-tcccactggcacgtccagacc-3′.

The obtained PCR product was incorporated into pENTR/D-TOPO (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) using pENTR Directional TOPO Cloning kit (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) to prepare an entry vector. To repair mutations caused by amino acid substitution, the entry vector was digested with EcoRI, and a fragment containing the pENTR/D-TOPO-derived sequence among the obtained fragments was ligated with the second largest fragment (approximately 1.6 kbp) among fragments obtained by digested Human clone collection (manufactured by STRATAGENE, #C14640) with EcoRI. Recombination reactions between the obtained entry vector and the pcDNA-DEST40 Gateway vector were performed using LR Clonase in order to prepare pcDNA-DEST40-ERBB2 (the vector has the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 25 in the sequence listing, between attB1 and attB2 sequences).

Example 2 Preparation of Monoclonal Antibody 2)-1 Preparation of Antigen

To express EPHA2-ECD, FreeStyle 293-F cells (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) were transfected with pcDNA3.1-EPHA2-ECD using 293fectin (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) and cultured at 37° C. in 8% CO₂ for 5 days. After the culture, the culture supernatant was collected by centrifugation and used as a source for rEPHA2-ECD purification. The obtained culture supernatant was dialyzed against 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, using a dialysis tube having a molecular cutoff of 15000, then filtered through a filter (0.45 μm, PES), and then applied to HiPrep 16/10 Q XL (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.) equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5. Elution was performed with a linear concentration gradient of NaCl (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 0-1 M NaCl). An aliquot of the eluted fractions was separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (hereinafter, abbreviated to “SDS-PAGE”). Then, the gel was stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (hereinafter, abbreviated to “CBB-stained”) to confirm rEPHA2-ECD-containing fractions. Next, the rEPHA2-ECD-containing fractions were combined and applied to HiLoad 26/60 Superdex 200 pg (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.) equilibrated with PBS. After elution with PBS, an aliquot of the eluted fractions was separated by SDS-PAGE. Then, the gel was CBB-stained to confirm rEPHA2-ECD-containing fractions. The rEPHA2-ECD-containing fractions were combined and used as an antigen for immunization and an antigen for epitope determination. The protein concentration was measured using BCA Protein Assay Reagent (manufactured by PIERCE).

2)-2 Immunization

4- to 6-week-old BALB/cAnNCrlCrlj mice (Charles River Laboratories Japan, Inc.) were used. On day 0, a mixture of 50 μg of rEPHA2-ECD and Adjuvant Complete Freund H37 Rv (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) (1:1 in terms of volume ratio) was subcutaneously administered to the mouse dorsal region. Likewise, a mixture of 50 μg of rEPHA2-ECD and TiterMax Gold Adjuvant (manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich, Inc.) (1:1 in terms of volume ratio) was subcutaneously administered to the dorsal region of another individual. On days 22 and 36, a mixture of 50 μg of rEPHA2-ECD and Adjuvant Incomplete Freund (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) (1:1 in terms of volume ratio) was subcutaneously administered to the dorsal region of each mouse. On day 53, 50 μg of rEPHA2-ECD was intraperitoneally administered to each mouse. On day 56, the mouse spleen was collected and used in hybridoma preparation.

2)-3 Hybridoma Preparation

Cell fusion between the spleen cells and mouse myeloma P3X63Ag8U.1 cells was performed using PEG4000 (manufactured IBL (Immuno-Biological Laboratories, Co., Ltd.)) to prepare hybridomas. A culture supernatant of the obtained hybridomas was used for screening anti-EPHA2 antibody-producing hybridomas.

2)-4 Antibody Screening

2)-4-1 Preparation of Cells Expressing a Gene Encoding an Antigen

293T cells were seeded at 5×10⁴ cells/cm² onto a collagen type I-coated flask (manufactured by IWAKI) and cultured overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ in DMEM containing 10% FBS. On the next day, the 293T cells were transfected with pcDNA-DEST40-EPHA2 or pcDNA-DEST40-ERBB2 as a control using Lipofectamine 2000 (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) and further incubated overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. On the next day, the transfected 293T cells were treated with trypsin, then washed with DMEM containing 10% FBS, and then suspended in PBS containing 5% FBS. The obtained cell suspension was used in Cell-ELISA and flow cytometry analysis.

2)-4-2 Cell-ELISA

The cell suspension prepared in the paragraph 2)-4-1 was centrifuged, and the supernatant was removed. Then, the EPHA2-expressing 293T cells and the ERBB2-expressing 293T cells were separately suspended by the addition of the hybridoma culture supernatant and incubated at 4° C. for 1 hour. The cells in the wells were washed twice with PBS containing 5% FBS. Then, the cells were suspended by the addition of Goat anti-Mouse IgG, Peroxidase Conjugated (manufactured by Millipore (Chemicon), #AP181P) diluted 500 times with PBS containing 5% FBS, and incubated at 4° C. for 1 hour. The cells in the wells were washed twice with PBS containing 5% FBS. Then, OPD Color Developing Solution (o-phenylenediamine dihydrochloride (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) and H₂O₂ were dissolved at concentrations of 0.4 mg/ml and 0.6% (v/v), respectively, in an OPD solution (0.05 M trisodium citrate, 0.1 M disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate, pH 4.5)) was added at 100 μl/well. Color reaction was performed with stirring and terminated by the addition of 1 M HCl at 100 μl/well. The cells were precipitated by centrifugation, and the supernatant was then transferred to a new 96-well flat-bottom microplate. The absorbance at 490 nm was measured using a plate reader (ARVO, PerkinElmer). To select hybridomas producing antibodies which specifically bind to EPHA2 expressed on the surface of the cell membrane, hybridomas producing a culture supernatant exhibiting higher absorbance in the EPHA2-expressing 293T cells than in the ERBB2-expressing 293T cells (controls) were selected to be positive for production of anti-EPHA2 antibody.

2)-4-3 Flow Cytometric Analysis

To eliminate false positives in Cell-ELISA, antibodies produced by the hybridoma determined to be positive in Cell-ELISA were further examined for their binding specificities for EPHA2 by flow cytometry. The cell suspension prepared in paragraph 2)-4-1 was centrifuged, and the supernatant was removed. Then, the EPHA2-expressing 293T cells and the ERBB2-expressing 293T cells were separately suspended by the addition of the hybridoma culture supernatant and incubated at 4° C. for 1 hour. The cells in the wells were washed twice with PBS containing 5% FBS. Then, the cells were suspended by the addition of “Fluorescein-conjugated goat IgG fraction to mouse IgG” (Whole Molecule) (manufactured by ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc., #55493) diluted 1000 times with PBS containing 5% FBS, and incubated at 4° C. for 1 hour. The cells were washed twice with PBS containing 5% FBS and then resuspended in PBS containing 5% FBS and further containing 2 μg/ml 7-aminoactinomycin D (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp. (Molecular Probes)), followed by analysis using a flow cytometer (FC500, Beckman Coulter, Inc.). The data was analyzed using Flowjo (Tree Star, Inc.). 7-aminoactinomycin D-positive dead cells were excluded using a gate. Then, the FITC fluorescence intensity histograms of live cells were plotted. Hybridomas producing samples that provided stronger fluorescence intensity in the fluorescence intensity histogram of the EPHA2-expressing 293T cells than in the histogram of the ERBB2-expressing 293T cells as controls were obtained as anti-EPHA2 antibody-producing hybridomas.

2)-5 Separation of Hybridoma into Single Clones

The anti-EPHA2 antibody-producing hybridomas were diluted with ClonaCell-HY Selection Medium D (manufactured by StemCell Technologies, #03804) and cultured, and the formed colonies were collected as single clones. The collected clones were separately cultured and examined for their binding activities for EPHA2 using the culture supernatants in the same way as in paragraph 2)-4-3 to establish hybridomas producing anti-EPHA2 monoclonal antibodies (SH348-1, SH357-1, Ab57-1, Ab65-1, Ab96-1, Ab100-1, Ab105-1, Ab106-13, Ab136-1, Ab148-1, Ab151-4, Ab230-1, Ab373-1, and Ab382-1).

2)-6 Confirmation of Binding Activity of Monoclonal Antibody for Cancer Cell Line

Whether or not the monoclonal antibodies obtained in paragraph 2)-5 bound to cancer cells highly expressing EPHA2 was studied by the flow cytometric method in the same way as in paragraph 2)-4-3. A human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231), a human lung cancer cell line (A549), and a human prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) were used instead of the transfected 293T cells. As a result, all the established monoclonal antibodies were confirmed to bind to these cancer cell lines.

2)-7 Isotype Determination of Monoclonal Antibody

The isotypes of the monoclonal antibodies were determined using Mouse monoclonal isotyping kit (manufactured by AbD Serotec). As a result, the isotypes were IgG1 (Ab57-1 and Ab230-1), IgG2a (SH348-1, SH357-1, Ab65-1, Ab96-1, Ab100-1, Ab136-1, Ab148-1, and Ab151-4), and IgG2b (Ab105-1, Ab106-13, Ab373-1, and Ab382-1).

2)-8 Preparation of Monoclonal Antibody

The monoclonal antibodies were purified from ascites of hybridoma-transplanted mice or a hybridoma culture supernatant (hereinafter, referred to as a “source for antibody purification”).

The mouse ascites were prepared as follows: first, 7- to 8-week-old BALB/cAJc1-nu/nu mice (CLEA Japan, Inc.) were treated with pristane (manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich, Inc.). Approximately 3 weeks later, the hybridomas washed with saline were intraperitoneally transplanted in an amount of 1×10⁷ cells/mouse. 1 to 2 weeks later, ascites accumulated in the peritoneal cavity was collected, then sterilized through a 0.22-μm filter, and used as a source for antibody purification.

The hybridoma culture supernatant was prepared using CELLine (manufactured by BD Biosciences). The hybridomas were cultured according to the manufacturer's instructions except that ClonaCell-HY Growth Medium E (manufactured by StemCell Technologies, #03805) was used as a medium. The collected culture supernatant was filtered through a 0.45-μm filter and used as a source for antibody purification.

The antibodies were purified using an affinity column comprising Recombinant Protein A rPA50 (manufactured by RepliGen Corp.) immobilized on Formyl-Cellulofine (manufactured by Seikagaku Corp.) (hereinafter, abbreviated to “Formyl-Cellulofine Protein A”) or HiTrap MabSelect SuRe (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.). For the Formyl-Cellulofine Protein A, the source for antibody purification was diluted three times with Binding Buffer (3 M NaCl, 1.5 M glycine, pH 8.9) and applied to the column, which was then washed with Binding Buffer, followed by elution with 0.1 M citric acid, pH 4.0. On the other hand, for the HiTrap MabSelect SuRe, the source for antibody purification was added to the column, which was then washed with PBS, followed by elution with 2 M arginine-HCl, pH 4.0. The antibody eluate was neutralized, and the buffer was then replaced with PBS.

The antibody concentrations were determined by eluting the antibodies bound with POROS G 20 μm Column, PEEK, 4.6 mm×100 mm, 1.7 ml (Applied Biosystems) and measuring the absorbance (O.D. 280 nm) of the eluate. Specifically, the antibody sample diluted with PBS was applied to POROS G 20 μm equilibrated with Equilibrating Buffer (30.6 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate, 19.5 mM monopotassium phosphate, 0.15 M NaCl, pH 7.0). The column was washed with Equilibrating Buffer, and the antibody bound to the column was then eluted with an eluent (0.1% (v/v) HCl, 0.15 M NaCl). The peak area of the absorbance (O.D. 280 nm) of the eluate was measured, and the concentration was calculated according to the following equation: Concentration of antibody sample(mg/ml)=(Peak area of antibody sample)/(Peak area of standard(human IgG1))×Concentration of standard(mg/ml)×Dilution factor.

Moreover, the concentration of endotoxin contained in the obtained antibodies was measured using Endospecy ES-50M Set (Seikagaku Corp., #020150) and Endotoxin Standard CSE-L Set (Seikagaku Corp., #020055) and was confirmed to be 1 EU/mg or lower. The resulting antibodies were used in the subsequent experiments.

Example 3 Properties of SH348-1 and SH357-1

3)-1 Study of Anti-EPHA2 Antibody for its Activity of Inducing Phosphorylation of EPHA2 Tyrosine Residues and its Activity of Inducing Decrease in EPHA2 Protein Level 3)-1-1 Preparation of antibody-stimulated cell lysate MDA-MB-231 cells suspended in RPMI1640 containing 10% FBS, 50 units/ml penicillin, and 50 μg/ml streptomycin (hereinafter, abbreviated to “10% FBS-containing RPMI1640 (with antibiotics)”) were seeded at 6×10⁵ cells/well onto a 6-well dish and cultured overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. On the next day, the medium was discarded, and RPMI1640 was added thereto. The cells were further cultured overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. On the next day, SH348-1, SH357-1, Mouse IgG_(2A) Isotype Control (in the description below and the drawings, abbreviated to “mIgG2a”; manufactured by R&D Systems, Inc., #MAB003) as an isotype control antibody, Recombinant Mouse Ephrin-A1/Fc Chimera (in the description below and the drawings, abbreviated to “Ephrin-A1/Fc”; manufactured by R&D Systems, Inc., #602-A1-200) as a soluble EPHA2 ligand, and Recombinant Human IgG₁ Fc (in the description below and the drawings, abbreviated to “hG₁Fc”; manufactured by R&D Systems, Inc., #110-HG-100) as a control protein for the soluble ligand were separately diluted at a concentration shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B or FIGS. 2A and 2B (SH348-1, SH357-1, and mIgG2a: 10 μg/ml or 50 μg/ml in FIG. 1A and 50 μg/ml in FIG. 2A, Ephrin-A1/Fc and hG₁Fc: 1 μg/ml in FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 2A and 2B) with RPMI1640. The resulting solution was added to the MDA-MB-231 cells after discarding of the medium and incubated at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ for the predetermined time in 5% CO₂. Moreover, in the experiments in the presence of a cross-linking antibody, SH348-1, SH357-1, or mIgG2a and Goat anti-mouse IgG, Fcγ fragment specific (min X Hu, Bov, Hrs Sr Prot) (manufactured by Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc., #115-005-071) as a cross-linking antibody were mixed at each concentration of 10 μg/ml or 50 μg/ml (FIG. 1B) and 50 μg/ml (FIG. 2B) in RPMI1640. The resulting solution was added to the MDA-MB-231 cells after discarding of the medium and incubated at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ for the predetermined time. At the predetermined time, the supernatant was removed, and the cells were lysed by the addition of 1×Cell Lysis Buffer (manufactured by Cell Signaling Technology, Inc.) containing 1 mM PMSF (manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich, Inc.) and centrifuged at 15000 rpm for 5 minutes. The supernatants of cell lysates were used as samples in immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. The protein concentrations of the samples were measured using BCA Protein Assay Reagent (manufactured by PIERCE).

3)-1-2 Verification of Activity of Inducing Phosphorylation of EPHA2 Tyrosine Residues

To immunoprecipitate EPHA2, first, 8 μg of anti-Eck/EphA2, clone D7 (in the description below and the drawings, abbreviated to “anti-EPHA2 antibody (D7)”; manufactured by Millipore (Upstate), #05-480) was added to 25 μl of a suspension of Protein G magnetic beads (manufactured by NEW ENGLAND BioLabs, Inc.) per sample, and the mixture was inverted for mixing at 4° C. for 2 hours.

Then, FBS was added thereto at a final concentration of 10%, and the mixture was further inverted for mixing at 4° C. for 30 minutes. The beads were washed three times with 1×Cell Lysis Buffer containing 1 mM PMSF. Then, 200 μg of the cell lysate supernatants prepared in paragraph 3)-1-1 were added thereto, and the mixtures were inverted for mixing overnight at 4° C. On the next day, the beads were washed three times with 1×Cell Lysis Buffer containing 1 mM PMSF. Then, SDS-Sample Buffer (56.3 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.8, 1.8% (w/v) SDS, 9% glycerol, 0.72 M 2-mercaptoethanol, 0.045 mg/ml bromophenol blue) was added to the beads, and the mixtures were heated at 98° C. for 5 minutes. The proteins dissociated from the beads were separated by SDS-PAGE.

To perform Western blotting, the proteins were transferred from the gels to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes (hereinafter, abbreviated to a “PVDF membrane”; 0.45 μm in pore size; manufactured by Millipore). After the transfer, the PVDF membranes were blocked by shaking in Blocking Solution (one pouch of Block Ace powder (manufactured by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (Snow Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd.)) was dissolved in 100 ml of ultrapure water, to which Tween 20 and sodium azide were then added at final concentrations of 0.1% (v/v) and 0.02% (w/v), respectively). First, to detect the immunoprecipitated EPHA2, the PVDF membranes thus blocked were soaked in an anti-EPHA2 antibody (D7) solution diluted to 0.25 μg/ml with Blocking Solution, and shaken at room temperature for 1 hour. The PVDF membranes were washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0, 138 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl, 0.1% (v/v) Tween 20). Then, the PVDF membranes were soaked in an Anti-Mouse Ig, HRP-Linked Whole Ab Sheep (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.) solution diluted 3000 times with TBST, and shaken at room temperature for 30 minutes. The PVDF membranes were further washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. Then, signals were detected on a film for chemiluminescence using ECL Plus (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.).

Next, to remove the antibodies from these PVDF membranes, the PVDF membranes were soaked in Stripping Solution (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.8, 2% (w/v) SDS, 100 mM 2-mercaptoethanol) and shaken at 55° C. for 30 minutes. Then, the PVDF membranes were soaked in Quenching Solution (TBST containing 1% (v/v) H₂O₂ and 0.1% (w/v) NaN₃), then shaken at room temperature for 20 minutes, and further washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. To detect the phosphorylated state of the EPHA2 tyrosine residues, these PVDF membranes were blocked by shaking in sodium azide-free Blocking Solution (one pouch of Block Ace powder was dissolved in 100 ml of ultrapure water, to which Tween 20 was then added at a final concentration of 0.1% (v/v)). Then, the PVDF membranes were soaked in an Anti-Phosphotyrosine, recombinant 4G10 HRP-conjugate (in the figures, abbreviated to “4G10 antibody”; manufactured by Millipore (Upstate), #16-184) solution diluted 10000 times with sodium azide-free Blocking Solution, and shaken at room temperature for 1 hour. The PVDF membranes were washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST and then further washed for 5 minutes three times with H₂O. Signals were detected on a film for chemiluminescence using ECL Plus.

As a result, by the addition of the soluble ligand Ephrin-A1/Fc, EPHA2 tyrosine residues were phosphorylated in 10 minutes. By contrast, when the antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 were added at a concentration of 10 μg/ml or 50 μg/ml, the effect of inducing the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues as seen by the ligand was not observed at all in the predetermined times (10 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes) (FIG. 1A). Likewise, even in the presence of the cross-linking antibody, the effect of inducing the phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues as seen in the ligand was not observed in the presence of antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 (FIG. 1B).

3)-1-3 Verification of Activity of Inducing Decrease in EPHA2 Protein Level

10 μg of the cell lysate supernatants prepared in paragraph 3)-1-1 were separated by SDS-PAGE. Then, the proteins in the gel were transferred to PVDF membranes and subjected to Western blotting using an anti-EPHA2 antibody (D7) and Monoclonal Anti-β-Actin clone AC-15 (in the description below and the figures, abbreviated to “anti-β-actin antibody”; manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich, Inc., #A-5441) as a control for the sample protein level. Specifically, after the transfer, the PVDF membranes were blocked by shaking in Blocking Solution and then cut with a razor into two pieces centered around a molecular weight of 70 kDa. The PVDF membranes containing 70 kDa or larger proteins were soaked in an anti-EPHA2 antibody (D7) solution diluted to 0.25 μg/ml with Blocking Solution, while the PVDF membranes containing 70 kDa or smaller proteins were soaked in an anti-β-actin antibody solution diluted 1000 times with Blocking Solution. Each PVDF membrane was shaken at room temperature for 1 hour. Each PVDF membrane was washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. Then, each PVDF membrane was soaked in an Anti-Mouse Ig, HRP-Linked Whole Ab Sheep solution diluted 3000 times with TBST, and shaken at room temperature for 30 minutes. Each PVDF membrane was washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. Then, signals were detected using ECL Plus and NightOWL LB983 (Berthold Technologies GmBH & Co. KG). The signal intensity of the bands was quantified using Gel-Pro Analyzer Version 4.5 for Windows (registered trademark; Media Cybernetics, Inc.).

As a result, by the addition of the soluble ligand Ephrin-A1/Fc, a significant decrease in EPHA2 protein level was observed (FIGS. 2A and 2B). By the addition of the antibody SH348-1, a decrease in EPHA2 protein level, albeit weaker than the activity of the ligand, was observed both in the presence and absence of the cross-linking antibody (FIGS. 2A and 2B). On the other hand, in the antibody SH357-1, almost no change in EPHA2 protein level was observed regardless of the presence or absence of the cross-linking antibody (FIGS. 2A and 2B).

To analyze the EPHA2 protein level after 24 hours of the SH348-1 addition, an average of {the signal intensity of the EPHA2 band/the signal intensity of the β-actin band} was calculated from three experimental results corrected with a ligand/antibody-nonsupplemented sample. As a result, the value after 24 hours of the SH348-1 addition was 70% in the absence of the cross-linking antibody and 69% in the presence of the cross-linking antibody, when the value after 24 hours of the mIgG2a addition is defined as 100%.

3)-2 ADCC Activity

3)-2-1 Preparation of Effector Cells

The spleen was aseptically collected from CAnN.Cg-Foxnl^(nu)/CrlCrlj nude mice (Charles River Laboratories Japan, Inc.). The collected spleen was homogenized with two slide glasses and hemolyzed using BD Pharm Lyse (manufactured by BD Biosciences, #555899). The obtained spleen cells were suspended in phenol red-free RPMI1640 (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) containing 10% Fetal Bovine Serum, Ultra-low IgG (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) (hereinafter, abbreviated to a “medium for ADCC”) and passed through a cell strainer (40 μm in pore size; manufactured by BD Biosciences). Then, the number of live cells was counted by a trypan blue exclusion test. The spleen cell suspension was centrifuged, and the medium was then removed. The cells were resuspended at a live cell density of 1.5×10⁷ cells/ml in a medium for ADCC and used as effector cells.

3)-2-2 Preparation of Target Cells

MDA-MB-231, A549, or PC-3 cells were treated with trypsin. The cells were washed with RPMI1640 containing 10% FBS and then resuspended in RPMI1640 containing 10% FBS. Each cell (4×10⁶ cells) was mixed with Chromium-51 (5550 kBq) sterilized through a 0.22-μm filter, and labeled therewith at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ for 1 hour. The labeled cells were washed three times with a medium for ADCC and resuspended at a concentration of 2×10⁵ cells/ml in a medium for ADCC to prepare target cells.

3)-2-3 ⁵¹Cr Release Assay

The target cells (2×10⁵ cells/ml) were dispensed at 50 μl/well to a 96-well U-bottom microplate. 50 μl of SH348-1, SH357-1, or an isotype control antibody (mIgG2a) diluted to 2.5 μg/ml (in terms of a final concentration after addition of the effector cells) with a medium for ADCC was added thereto and incubated at 4° C. for 1 hour. 100 μl of the effector cells (1.5×10′ cells/ml) was added thereto and incubated overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. On the next day, the supernatant was collected into LumaPlate (manufactured by PerkinElmer). The dose of released gamma rays was measured using a gamma counter. The cell lysis rate attributed to the ADCC activity was calculated according to the following equation: Cell lysis rate(%)=(A−B)/(C−B)×100

A: counts in sample wells

B: an average (n=3) of counts in spontaneous release (antibody/effector cell-nonsupplemented wells). Instead of the antibody and the effector cells, 50 μl and 100 μl, respectively, of a medium for ADCC were added. The other procedures were performed in the same way as in the sample wells.

C: an average (n=3) of counts in the maximum release (wells containing the target cells dissolved in a detergent). 50 μl of a medium for ADCC was added instead of the antibody, and 100 μl of a medium for ADCC containing 2% (v/v) Triton-X100 was added instead of the effector cells. The other procedures were performed in the same way as in the sample wells.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show an average of three experiments, wherein the error bar represents a standard deviation, and the P value was calculated by Student's t-test. As a result, the antibody SH348-1 exhibited cell lysis activities of 8.2%, 9.1%, and 4.7% against the MDA-MB-231 cells (FIG. 3A), the A549 cells (FIG. 3B), and the PC-3 cells (FIG. 3C), respectively. The antibody SH357-1 exhibited cell lysis activities of 8.8%, 13.0%, and 9.0% against the MDA-MB-231 cells (FIG. 3A), the A549 cells (FIG. 3B), and the PC-3 cells (FIG. 3C), respectively. These results demonstrated that both the antibodies have an ADCC activity against MDA-MB-231 cells, A549 cells, and PC-3 cells.

3)-3 CDC Activity

MDA-MB-231, A549, or PC-3 cells suspended in 10% FBS-containing RPMI1640 (with antibiotics) were seeded at 5000 cells/well onto a 96-well microplate and cultured overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. On the next day, SH348-1, SH357-1, or an isotype control antibody (mIgG2a) diluted to 25 μg/ml (in terms of a final concentration after addition of complements) with 10% FBS-containing RPMI1640 (with antibiotics) was added thereto and incubated at 4° C. for 1 hour. Rabbit complements (manufactured by CEDARLANE, #CL3051) diluted to 30% with RPMI1640 were added thereto at a final concentration of 5%, then incubated at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ for 1 hour, and further left standing at room temperature for 30 minutes. To measure the cell viability, CellTiter-Glo Luminescent Cell Viability Assay (manufactured by Promega Corp.) was added in an amount equal to that of the culture solution, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. Then, the amount of light emitted was measured using a plate reader. The cell viability was calculated according to the following equation: Cell viability(%)=(a−b)/(c−b)×100

a: the amount of light emitted from sample wells

b: an average (n=8) of the amount of light emitted as a background (cell/antibody-nonsupplemented wells). 10% FBS-containing RPMI1640 (with antibiotics) was added, instead of the seeded cells, in an amount equal to that of the cell suspension, and 10% FBS-containing RPMI1640 (with antibiotics) was added, instead of the antibody, in an amount equal to that of the antibody dilution. The other procedures were performed in the same way as in the sample wells.

c: an average (n=3) of the amount of light emitted from antibody-nonsupplemented wells. 10% FBS-containing RPMI1640 (with antibiotics) was added, instead of the antibody, in an amount equal to that of the antibody dilution. The other procedures were performed in the same way as in the sample wells.

FIGS. 4A through 4F show an average of three experiments, wherein the error bar represents a standard deviation, and the P value was calculated by Student's t-test. As a result, the antibody SH348-1 induced 44%, 31%, and 41% decreases in the cell viability of the MDA-MB-231 cells (FIG. 4A), the A549 cells (FIG. 4B), and the PC-3 cells (FIG. 4C), respectively, in the presence of the complements. The antibody SH357-1 also induced 65%, 60%, and 65% decreases in the cell survival rates of the MDA-MB-231 cells (FIG. 4D), the A549 cells (FIG. 4E), and the PC-3 cells (FIG. 4F), respectively, in the presence of the complements. These results demonstrated that both the antibodies have a CDC activity against MDA-MB-231 cells, A549 cells, and PC-3 cells.

3)-4 Epitope Determination

3)-4-1 Preparation of Truncated EPHA2 Polypeptides (rFnIII-NC, rFnIII-N, and rFnIII-C)

Escherichia coli BL21 and Escherichia coli Origami (DE3) (manufactured by Novagen) were separately transformed with the expression plasmid prepared in paragraph 1)-1-3, and cultured in an LB medium supplemented with 50 μg/ml ampicillin (manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich, Inc.). Expression of truncated EPHA2 polypeptides was induced using Autoinduction System (manufactured by Novagen) for BL21 and the addition of 0.5 mM IPTG for Origami (DE3). The bacterial cells were collected by centrifugation at 6000 rpm for 20 minutes, then suspended in a homogenizing buffer (50 mM Tris HCl, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 0.1% (v/v) Triton-X100, 10% (v/v) glycerol), and then sonicated on ice. The supernatant was collected by centrifugation at 14000 rpm for 15 minutes and applied to 0.5 ml of Ni-NTA (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.). The Ni-NTA was washed with a washing buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 50 mM imidazole, 10% (v/v) glycerol), followed by elution with an eluting buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 150 mM NaCl, 400 mM imidazole, 10% (v/v) glycerol). The eluted samples were further purified by gel filtration column chromatography (Superdex 75 10/300; manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.) using PBS as a solvent. The protein concentrations of the obtained recombinant proteins were measured using Protein Assay (manufactured by Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc).

3)-4-2 Preparation of EPHB2 Extracellular Region Polypeptide (rEPHB2-ECD)

To express EPHB2-ECD, FreeStyle 293-F cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-EphA2-ECD using 293fectin and cultured at 37° C. in 8% CO₂ for 72 hours. After the culture, the culture solution was collected by centrifugation and used as a source for rEPHB2-ECD purification. The obtained culture supernatant was dialyzed against 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, using a dialysis tube having a molecular cutoff of 15000, then filtered through a filter (0.45 μm, PES), and then applied to HiPrep 16/10 Q XL equilibrated with 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5. Elution was performed with a linear concentration gradient of NaCl (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5, 0-1 M NaCl). An aliquot of the eluted fractions was separated by SDS-PAGE. Then, the gel was CBB-stained to confirm that there were rEPHB2-ECD-containing fractions. Next, the rEPHB2-ECD-containing fractions were combined and applied to HiLoad 26/60 Superdex 200 pg equilibrated with PBS. After elution with PBS, an aliquot of the elution fractions was separated by SDS-PAGE. Then, the gel was CBB-stained to confirm that there were rEPHB2-ECD-containing fractions. The rEPHB2-ECD-containing fractions were combined and used as an antigen for epitope determination. The protein concentration was measured using BCA Protein Assay Reagent.

3)-4-3 Determination of Binding Sites in Antigens by ELISA

rEPHA2-ECD, rFnIII-NC, rFnIII-N, rFnIII-C, or a control protein rEPHB2-ECD was diluted to 1 μg/ml with PBS, then dispensed at 100 μl/well onto an immunoplate (manufactured by Nunc, #442404), and incubated overnight at 4° C. to thereby adsorb the protein to the plate. On the next day, the solution in the wells was removed, and a Block Ace solution (one pouch of Block Ace powder was dissolved in 100 ml of ultrapure water) diluted 4 times with PBS was dispensed at 200 μl/well and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The solution in the wells was removed, and SH348-1, SH357-1, or an isotype control antibody (mIgG2a) diluted to 5 μg/ml with Diluting Buffer (PBS, 0.05% (v/v) Tween 20) was then added at 50 μl/well. The plate was incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. Then, the solution in the wells was removed, and the wells were washed twice with a diluting buffer. Goat anti-Mouse IgG, Peroxidase Conjugated, diluted 3000 times with Diluting Buffer was added at 50 μl/well and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The solution in the wells was removed, and the wells were washed twice with Diluting Buffer. Then, a color reaction was performed with stirring by the addition of OPD Color Developing Solution at 100 μl/well. After color development, the color reaction was terminated by the addition of 1 M HCl at 100 μl/well. The absorbance at 490 nm was measured using a plate reader.

FIG. 5A shows the EPHA2 domain structure prediction (NCBI CDD version 2.11, CBS TMHMM Server v.2.0) and the positions of EPHA2-ECD, FnIII-NC, FnIII-N, and FnIII-C in EPHA2. Ligand-BD represents a ligand-binding domain, FN3 represents a fibronectin type 3 domain, TM represents a transmembrane region, Trk kinase represents a tyrosine kinase domain, and SAM represents a SAM domain.

Recombinant proteins of the EPHA2 extracellular region (EPHA2-ECD), the region containing two fibronectin type 3 domains (FnIII-NC), the region containing the N-terminal fibronectin type 3 domain (FnIII-N), and the region containing the C-terminal fibronectin type 3 domain (FnIII-C) were prepared and studied for their binding activities with respect to SH348-1 and SH357-1. As a result, the antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 exhibited binding activities with respect to rEPHA2-ECD, rFnIII-NC, and rFnIII-C (FIG. 5B). Thus, the antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 were shown to bind to a region from amino acids 426 to 534 containing the C-terminal fibronectin type 3 domain (amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing).

Example 4 In Vivo Antitumor Effect

MDA-MB-231 cells were dissociated from a culture flask by trypsin treatment and then suspended in 10% FBS-containing RPMI1640 (with antibiotics). After centrifugation, the supernatant was removed. The cells were washed twice with the same medium as above, then suspended in BD Matrigel Basement Membrane Matrix (manufactured by BD Biosciences), and subcutaneously transplanted at a concentration of 5×10⁶ cells/mouse into the dorsal region of 6-week-old BALB/cAJc1-nu/nu ((CLEA Japan, Inc.). When the day of transplantation is defined as day 0, SH348-1 or SH357-1 was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 500 μg/mouse on days 9, 16, 23, and 30. PBS having the same volume (500 μl) as that of the antibody was intraperitoneally administered as a control. The tumor volume was measured on days 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 28, 30, 34, and 37 to study the antitumor effect attributed to the antibody administration. As a result, tumor growth was significantly inhibited in the SH348-1- and SH357-1-administered groups compared to in the PBS-administered group (in the tumor volume comparison with the PBS-administered group on day 37, P values for SH348-1 and SH357-1 were both P<0.001; the P values were calculated by Student's t-test). Moreover, the tumor growth inhibitory rate (=100−(average of tumor volumes of the antibody-administered group)/(average of tumor volumes of the PBS-administered group)×100) on day 37 was 89.5% for SH348-1 and 84.1% for SH357-1. Their very strong antitumor effects were observed in vivo (FIGS. 6A and 6B).

Of 14 anti-EPHA2 monoclonal antibodies studied for their antitumor effects on the MDA-MB-231 cell-transplanted mice, only the antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 binding to FnIII-C were shown to be effective (Table 1).

TABLE 1 Inhibitory Binding activity to antigen effect on rEPHA2- tumor growth Antibody ECD rFnIII-NC rFnIII-N rFnIII-C (in vivo) SH 348-1 + + − + + SH 357-1 + + − + + Ab 57-1 + + + − − Ab 65-1 + − − − − Ab 96-1 + − − − − Ab 100-1 + − − − − Ab 105-1 + − − − − Ab 106-13 + − − − − Ab 136-1 + − − − − Ab 148-1 + − − − − Ab 151-4 + − − − − Ab 230-1 + + + − − Ab 373-1 + − − − − Ab 382-1 + − − − −

These results demonstrated that SH348-1 and SH357-1 are antibodies which recognize the previously unreported epitope (amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing) and exhibit an antitumor effect. Moreover, the region to which SH348-1 or SH357-1 binds was shown to serve as a promising target of anti-tumor monoclonal antibodies targeted for EPHA2.

Example 5 Identification of SH348-1 and SH357-1 Antibody Genes

To determine the heavy and light chain N-terminal amino acid sequences of the mouse anti-human EPHA2 antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1, an aliquot of a solution containing the SH348-1 or SH357-1 purified in paragraph 2)-8 was separated by SDS-PAGE. The proteins in the gel thus separated were transferred from the gel to a PVDF membrane (0.45 μm in pore size; manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.). The PVDF membrane was washed with a washing buffer (25 mM NaCl, 10 mM sodium borate buffer, pH 8.0), then stained by soaking in a staining solution (50% methanol, 20% acetic acid, 0.05% Coomassie Brilliant Blue) for 5 minutes, and then destained with 90% methanol. Band portions corresponding to the heavy and light chains (heavy chain: the band with smaller mobility, light chain: the band with larger mobility) visualized on the PVDF membrane were excised, and an attempt was made to identify their respective N-terminal amino acid sequences by an automatic Edman method (see Edman, P., et al. (1967) Eur. J. Biochem. 1, 80) using Procise (registered trademark) cLC Protein Sequencer Model 492cLC (Applied Biosystems). For the SH348-1 heavy chain, the amino acid sequence could not be identified by the method. Therefore, the N-terminal pyroglutamic acid was removed using Pfu Pyroglutamate Aminopeptidase (manufactured by TAKARA BIO INC.), and the same procedure as above was then performed to identify an amino acid sequence starting at the second amino acid from the N-terminus.

As a result, the amino acid sequence (starting at the second amino acid from the N-terminus) of the band corresponding to the SH348-1 heavy chain was

(SEQ ID NO: 26 in the sequence listing) I-Q-L-V-Q-S-G-P.

The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the band corresponding to the SH348-1 light chain was

(SEQ ID NO: 27 in the sequence listing) D-V-L-M-T-Q-S-P-L-S-L.

The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the band corresponding to the SH357-1 heavy chain was

(SEQ ID NO: 28 in the sequence listing) Q-I-Q-L-V-Q-S-G-P.

The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the band corresponding to the SH357-1 light chain was

(SEQ ID NO: 29 in the sequence listing) D-V-L-M-T-Q-T-P-L-S-L-P-V-S-L-G-D-Q-A.

These amino acid sequences were compared with antibody amino acid sequence database prepared by Kabat et al. (see Kabat, E. A. et al., (1991) in Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest Vol. I and II, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). As a result, the subtype of the SH348-1 heavy chain (γ2a chain) was miscellaneous, and the subtype of the light chain was kappa light II. Moreover, the subtype of the SH357-1 heavy chain (γ2a chain) was determined to be miscellaneous, and the subtype of the light chain was determined to be kappa light II.

Thus, the following oligonucleotide primers were synthesized, which respectively hybridized to the 5′-terminal region of an antibody gene coding region belonging to these mouse subtypes and the 3′-terminal region thereof containing a stop codon (see Kabat et al., ibid; Matti Kartinen et al. (1988) 25, 859-865; and Heinrich, G. et al. (1984) J. Exp. Med. 159, p. 417-435):

(DB3F1: sequence listing sequence ID No. 30) 5′-cagatccagttggtgcagtctggacct-3′ (MIG2AEVR1: sequence listing sequence ID No. 31) 5′-aagatatctcatttacccggagtccgggagaa-3′ (MK19EIF1: sequence listing sequence ID No. 32) 5′-aagaattcatgaagttgcctgttagg-3′ (KEVR1: sequence listing sequence ID No. 33) 5′-aagatatcttaacactcattcctgttgaagct-3′

To clone cDNAs encoding the SH348-1 and SH357-1 heavy and light chains, mRNA was prepared from the SH348-1- or SH357-1-producing hybridomas using Quick Prep mRNA Purification Kit (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp., #27-9254-01). From each mRNA thus obtained, cDNA encoding each antibody heavy or light chain was amplified using TaKaRa One Step RNA PCR Kit (AMV) (manufactured by TAKARA BIO INC., #RR024A) and the primer set for the heavy chain (combination of DB3F1 and MIG2AEVR1) or the primer set for the light chain (combination of MK19EIF1 and KEVR1). These cDNAs amplified by PCR were cloned using Zero Blunt TOPO PCR Cloning Kit (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.). Each of the cloned heavy and light chain nucleotide sequences was determined using a gene sequence analyzer (“ABI PRISM 3700 DNA Analyzer; Applied Biosystems” or “Applied Biosystems 3730×1 Analyzer; Applied Biosystems”). In the sequencing reaction, GeneAmp 9700 (Applied Biosystems) was used.

The determined nucleotide sequence of the cDNA encoding the SH348-1 heavy chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 34 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 35. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA encoding the SH348-1 light chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 36 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA encoding the SH357-1 heavy chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 38 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 39. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA encoding the SH357-1 light chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 40 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 41. Sequences represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 27 and 1327 to 1350 of SEQ ID NO: 34, a sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 637 to 660 of SEQ ID NO: 36, sequences represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 27 and 1327 to 1350 of SEQ ID NO: 38, and a sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 637 to 660 of SEQ ID NO: 40 are sequences derived from the primers.

Moreover, the amino acid sequences of these heavy and light chains were analyzed by comparison with antibody amino acid sequence database prepared by Kabat et al. (see Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) in “Sequence of Proteins of Immunological Interest Vol. I and II”; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). As a result, the SH348-1 heavy chain was shown to have an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 119 of SEQ ID NO: 35 in the sequence listing as a variable region and have an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 120 to 449 thereof as a constant region. Moreover, the SH348-1 light chain was shown to have an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 112 of SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing as a variable region and have an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 113 to 219 thereof as a constant region.

The SH357-1 heavy chain was shown to have an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 119 of SEQ ID NO: 39 in the sequence listing as a variable region and have an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 120 to 449 thereof as a constant region. Moreover, the SH357-1 light chain was shown to have an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 112 of SEQ ID NO: 41 in the sequence listing as a variable region and have an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 113 to 219 thereof as a constant region.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 heavy chain variable region is represented by SEQ ID NO: 42 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 43. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 heavy chain constant region is represented by SEQ ID NO: 44, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 45. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 light chain variable region is represented by SEQ ID NO: 46 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 47. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 light chain constant region is represented by SEQ ID NO: 48, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 49. Sequences represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 27 of SEQ ID NO: 42, a sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 970 to 993 of SEQ ID NO: 44, and sequences represented by nucleotide Nos. 301 to 324 of SEQ ID NO: 48, are sequences derived from the primers.

Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 heavy chain variable region is represented by SEQ ID NO: 50 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 51. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 heavy chain constant region is represented by SEQ ID NO: 52, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 53. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 light chain variable region is represented by SEQ ID NO: 54 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 55. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 light chain constant region is represented by SEQ ID NO: 56, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 57. Sequences represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 27 of SEQ ID NO: 50, a sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 970 to 993 of SEQ ID NO: 52, and sequences represented by nucleotide Nos. 301 to 324 of SEQ ID NO: 56 are sequences derived from the primers.

Furthermore, the positions and sequences of CDRs in each of the amino acid sequences of the heavy and light chain variable regions were analyzed and determined by homology comparison with an antibody amino acid sequence database prepared by Kabat et al. (see Kabat, E. A., et al. (1991) ibid). According to the document, even different antibodies have framework regions which have an amino acid length almost equal to each other and are observed to have amino acid sequence commonality in the variable regions, if they are in the same subtype. On the other hand, CDRs are specific sequences flanked by these framework regions. Thus, the amino acid sequences of the heavy and light chains were analyzed by comparison with those of the same subtype thereas. As a result, CDRs in the SH348-1 heavy chain were determined to have amino acid sequences represented by amino acid Nos. 26 to 35 of SEQ ID NO: 35 in the sequence listing (CDRH₁), amino acid Nos. 50 to 66 thereof (CDRH₂), and amino acid Nos. 99 to 108 thereof (CDRH₃). CDRs in the SH348-1 light chain were determined to have amino acid sequences represented by amino acid Nos. 24 to 39 of SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing (CDRL₁), amino acid Nos. 55 to 61 thereof (CDRL₂), and amino acid Nos. 94 to 102 thereof (CDRL₃). CDRs in the SH357-1 heavy chain were determined to have amino acid sequences represented by amino acid Nos. 26 to 35 of SEQ ID NO: 39 in the sequence listing (CDRH₁), amino acid Nos. 50 to 66 thereof (CDRH₂), and amino acid Nos. 99 to 108 thereof (CDRH₃). CDRs in the SH357-1 light chain were determined to have amino acid sequences represented by amino acid Nos. 24 to 39 of SEQ ID NO: 41 in the sequence listing (CDRL₁), amino acid Nos. 55 to 61 thereof (CDRL₂), and amino acid Nos. 94 to 102 thereof (CDRL₃).

The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 CDRH₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 58 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 59. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 CDRH₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 60, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 61. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 CDRH₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 62, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 63. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 CDRL₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 64, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 65. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 CDRL₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 66, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 67. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH348-1 CDRL₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 68, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 69. Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 CDRH₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 70, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 71. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 CDRH₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 72, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 73. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 CDRH₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 74, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 75. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 CDRL₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 76, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 77. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 CDRL₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 78, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 79. The nucleotide sequence encoding the SH357-1 CDRL₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 80, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 81.

Example 6 Binding Activity of Anti-EPHA2 Antibody to EPHA2 Extracellular Region

A solution of an EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide (manufactured by R&D Systems, Inc., #3035-A2-100) or bovine serum albumin (in the description below and the figures, abbreviated to “BSA”) as a control diluted to 1 μg/ml with PBS was dispensed at 100 μl/well onto an immunoplate (manufactured by Nunc, #442404) and incubated overnight at 4° C. to thereby adsorb the protein to the plate.

On the next day, the solution in the wells was removed, and a Block Ace solution (one pouch of Block Ace powder (manufactured by Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd. (Show Brand Milk Products Co., Ltd.)) was dissolved in 100 ml of ultrapure water) diluted 4 times with PBS was dispensed at 200 μl/well and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The wells were washed twice with Diluting Buffer (PBS, 0.05% (v/v) Tween 20). Then, SH348-1, SH357-1, and Ab96-1 were separately diluted with PBS to a concentration of 1.25×10⁻⁴ μg/ml, 1.25×10⁻³ μg/ml, 1.25×10⁻² μg/ml, 1.25×10⁻¹ μg/ml, 1.25 μg/ml, 12.5 μg/ml, or 125 μg/ml, and the resulting solution (containing 0.05% (v/v) (final concentration) Tween 20) was added at 100 μl/well.

The plate was incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. Then, the solution in the wells was removed, and the wells were washed twice with Diluting Buffer. Goat anti-Mouse IgG, Peroxidase Conjugated (manufactured by Millipore (Chemicon), #AP181P) diluted 1000 times with Diluting Buffer was added at 100 μl/well and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The solution in the wells was removed, and the wells were washed twice with Diluting Buffer. Then, a color reaction was performed with stirring by the addition of OPD Color Developing Solution at 100 μl/well. After color development, the color reaction was terminated by the addition of 1 M HCl at 100 μl/well. The absorbance at 490 nm was measured using a plate reader (FIG. 7).

FIG. 7A) shows the results of SH348-1, FIG. 7B) shows the results of SH357-1, and FIG. 7C) shows the results of Ab96-1. In each graph, the absorbance is indicated in mean±standard deviation (n=3). Stronger absorbance represents stronger binding activity. As shown in the graphs, all the antibodies SH348-1, SH357-1, and Ab96-1 exhibited no affinity for BSA, demonstrating that they specifically bind to the EPHA2 extracellular region.

Example 7 Influence of Anti-EPHA2 Antibody on Ligand Binding

An EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide (manufactured by R&D Systems, Inc., #3035-A2-100)-immobilized immunoplate was prepared according to the method described in Example 6. The immunoplate wells were washed twice with Diluting Buffer. Then, SH348-1, SH357-1, Ab96-1, or Mouse IgG_(2A) Isotype Control (in the description below and the figures, abbreviated to “mIgG2a”; manufactured by R&D Systems, Inc., #MAB003) as an isotype control antibody diluted to 10 μg/ml or 50 μg/ml with Diluting Buffer was added at 100 μl/well. The plate was incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. Then, Recombinant Mouse Ephrin-A1/Fc Chimera (in the description below and the figures, abbreviated to “Ephrin-A1/Fc”; manufactured by R&D Systems, Inc., #602-A1-200) as a soluble ligand or Recombinant Human IgG₁ Fc (in the description below and the figures, abbreviated to “hG₁Fc”; manufactured by R&D Systems, Inc., #110-HG-100) as a negative control protein for the soluble ligand was added at a final concentration of 1 μg/ml and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour.

Next, according to the method described in Example 6, the solution in the wells was removed, and the wells were washed with Diluting Buffer. Peroxidase AffiniPure Goat Anti-Human IgG Fcγ Fragment Specific (Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc., #109-035-098) was added thereto. A color reaction was performed using OPD Color Developing Solution. The absorbance at 490 nm was measured using a plate reader (FIG. 8).

In FIG. 8, the absorbance is indicated in mean±standard deviation (n=3). The antibody Ab96-1 even at a concentration of 10 μg/ml strongly inhibited the binding of the EPHA2 ligand ephrin-A1 to EPHA2. By contrast, the antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1, even when added at a concentration of 50 μg/ml (five times the concentration of Ab96-1), did not inhibit the binding of Ephrin-A1/Fc to EPHA2. These results demonstrated that the antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 do not inhibit the binding of Ephrin-A1/Fc to EPHA2.

Example 8 Verification of Inhibitory Activity of Anti-EPHA2 Antibody Against Ephrin-A1-Dependent Phosphorylation of EPHA2 Tyrosine Residues

8)-1 Preparation of Cell Lysates

MDA-MB-231 cells suspended in RPMI1640 containing 10% FBS, 50 units/ml penicillin, and 50 μg/ml streptomycin (hereinafter, abbreviated to “10% FBS-containing RPMI1640 (with antibiotics)”) were seeded at 2.5×10⁵ cells/well onto a 12-well dish and cultured overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. Next, the medium in the wells was discarded, and RPMI1640 was newly added thereto. The cells were further cultured overnight at 37° C. in 5% CO₂. Next, the medium in the wells was removed, and only RPMI1640 or RPMI1640 containing the antibody (mIgG2a, SH348-1, or SH357-1) at a concentration of 10 μg/ml or 50 μg/ml was added to each well and preincubated at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ for 1 hour.

To the thus-preincubated wells supplemented with only RPMI1640, a 1/50 volume of Ephrin-A1/Fc or hG₁Fc (final concentration of 1 μg/ml) or RPMI1640 with the same volume thereas (in FIG. 9, represented by (−)) were added. Moreover, to the wells supplemented with mIgG2a, SH348-1, or SH357-1, a 1/50 volume of Ephrin-A1/Fc (final concentration of 1 μg/ml) was added.

The dishes were further incubated at 37° C. in 5% CO₂ for 15 minutes. After discarding of the supernatants, 1×Cell Lysis Buffer (manufactured by Cell Signaling Technology, Inc.) containing 1 mM PMSF (manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich, Inc.) and Protease Inhibitor Cocktail (manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich, Inc., #P8340) (hereinafter, abbreviated to PPCLB) was added thereto to lyse the cells. The lysates were centrifuged at 15000 rpm for 5 minutes, and the obtained supernatants were used as immunoprecipitation samples. The protein concentrations of the samples were measured using BCA Protein Assay Reagent (manufactured by PIERCE).

8)-2 Detection of Phosphorylated State of EPHA2 by Immunoprecipitation

25 μl of a suspension of Protein G magnetic beads (manufactured by NEW ENGLAND BioLabs, Inc.) and 4 μg of anti-EphA2 Antibody (manufactured by Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., #sc-924) were added per sample, and the mixture was inverted for mixing at 4° C. for 2 hours. Next, FBS was added thereto at a final concentration of 10%, and the mixture was further inverted for mixing at 4° C. for 30 minutes. Next, the beads were washed with PPCLB. Next, 200 μg of the cell lysate supernatants prepared in paragraph 8)-1 were added thereto, and the mixtures were inverted for mixing overnight at 4° C.

On the next day, the beads were washed three times with PPCLB. Then, SDS-Sample Buffer (56.3 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.8, 1.8% (w/v) SDS, 9% glycerol, 0.72 M 2-mercaptoethanol, 0.045 mg/ml bromophenol blue) was added to the beads, and the mixtures were heated at 98° C. for 5 minutes. The proteins dissociated from the beads were separated by SDS-PAGE.

The proteins were transferred from the gel to a PVDF membrane (0.45 μm in pore size; manufactured by Millipore). The PVDF membrane was blocked by shaking in sodium azide-free Blocking Solution (one pouch of Block Ace powder was dissolved in 100 ml of ultrapure water, to which Tween 20 was then added at a final concentration of 0.1% (v/v)).

To detect the phosphorylated state of the EPHA2 tyrosine residues, the PVDF membrane was soaked in a solution of Anti-Phosphotyrosine, recombinant 4G10 HRP-conjugate (manufactured by Upstate, #16-184) diluted 10000 times with sodium azide-free Blocking Solution, and reacted at room temperature for 1 hour. The PVDF membrane was washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0, 138 mM NaCl, 2.7 mM KCl, 0.1% (v/v) Tween 20) and then further washed for 5 minutes three times with H₂O. Signals were detected on a film for chemiluminescence using ECL Plus (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp.).

Next, to detect the immunoprecipitated EPHA2 present on this PVDF membrane, the PVDF membrane after the detection of the phosphorylated state of the EPHA2 tyrosine residues was soaked in Stripping Solution (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.8, 2% (w/v) SDS, 100 mM 2-mercaptoethanol) and shaken at 55° C. for 30 minutes. Then, the PVDF membrane was soaked in Quenching Solution (TBST containing 1% (v/v) H₂O₂ and 0.1% (w/v) NaN₃) and shaken at room temperature for 20 minutes to remove the antibody on the PVDF membrane. The PVDF membrane was washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST and blocked in Blocking Solution (one pouch of Block Ace powder was dissolved in 100 ml of ultrapure water, to which Tween 20 and sodium azide were then added at final concentrations of 0.1% (v/v) and 0.02% (w/v), respectively). Then, the PVDF membrane was soaked in a solution of an anti-EphA2 Antibody (manufactured by Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., #sc-924) diluted 4000 times with Blocking Solution, and reacted at room temperature for 1 hour. The PVDF membrane was washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. Then, the PVDF membrane was soaked in a solution of Anti-rabbit IgG, HRP-linked Antibody (manufactured by Cell Signaling Technology, Inc., #7074) diluted 10000 times with TBST, and reacted at room temperature for 30 minutes. Then, this PVDF membrane was washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. Then, signals were detected on a film for chemiluminescence using ECL Plus.

The soluble ligand Ephrin-A1/Fc-induced phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues was not inhibited by the isotype control antibody mIgG2a but was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of the antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 (FIG. 9).

These results demonstrated that the antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 do not inhibit the binding of the ligand ephrin-A1 to EPHA2 but inhibit the ligand-induced phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues.

Example 9 Epitope Identification for Anti-EPHA2 Antibody

Deletion mutants of EPHA2 consisting of a region shown in FIG. 10 were prepared, and a region binding to SH348-1 or SH357-1 was determined.

9)-1 Preparation of Deletion Mutants of EPHA2

To express deletion mutants of EPHA2 as proteins having GST-Tag and His-Tag added to the N-terminus and S-Tag added to the C-terminus, the following primers were synthesized, and gene fragments amplified by a method shown below were cloned into pET-49b (+) (manufactured by Novagen):

(primer N1: sequence ID No. 82) 5′-attaggatccgagcttccgtactgccagtgtc-3′ (primer N2: sequence ID No. 83) 5′-attaggatccgccccccaaggtgaggct-3′ (primer N3: sequence ID No. 84) 5′-attaggatccggtcacttaccgcaagaagggaga-3′ (primer N4: sequence ID No. 85) 5′-attaggatccggtccaggtgcaggcactgacg-3′ (primer C1: sequence ID No. 86) 5′-aattaagcttgccgccaatcaccgccaagtt-3′ (primer C2: sequence ID No. 87) 5′-aattaagcttgttgccagatccctccggggac-3′ (primer C3: sequence ID No. 88) 5′-aattaagcttcaggtaggtggtgtctggg-3′ (primer C4: sequence ID No. 89) 5′-aattaagcttctcgtacttccacactcggc-3′

Each region was amplified by PCR reaction using pcDNA-DEST40-EPHA2 as the template and a primer set: the primers N1 and C1 for a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 540 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing (hereinafter, referred to as “m1”); the primers N1 and C2 for a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 534 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “m2”); the primers N1 and C3 for a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 504 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “m3”); the primers N1 and C4 for a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 426 to 470 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “m4”); the primers N2 and C2 for a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 439 to 534 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “m5”); the primers N3 and C2 for a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 471 to 534 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “m6”); the primers N4 and C2 for a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 505 to 534 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “m7”); the primers N2 and C3 for a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 439 to 504 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “m8”); and the primers N2 and C4 for a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 439 to 470 thereof (hereinafter, referred to as “m9”). The obtained PCR products were cleaved with BamHI and HindIII and subcloned into the BamHI/HindIII site of pET-49b (+).

9)-2 Expression of Deletion Mutants of EPHA2

Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) was transformed with the plasmid DNA constructed in paragraph 9)-1 or pET-49b (+) as a negative control. The obtained transformants were cultured in an LB medium supplemented with 30 μg/ml kanamycin (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.). Expression of the deletion mutants of EPHA2 was induced using Autoinduction System (manufactured by Novagen). The bacterial cells were collected by centrifugation and washed with PBS. Then, the bacterial cells were lysed with a 2% SDS solution containing 1 mM PMSF and Protease Inhibitor Cocktail (manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich, Inc., #P8340). The supernatant was collected by centrifugation and used in epitope identification.

The expression level of proteins (consisting of pET-49b (+)-derived GST-Tag, His-Tag, and S-Tag and linker portions for connecting them; in the description below and the figures, referred to as “Vec”) expressed in the bacterial cell lysate of Escherichia coli transformed with pET-49b (+) was estimated by a method described below. Dilution series of the Vec-expressing bacterial cell lysate and dilution series of 6×His Protein Ladder (manufactured by QIAGEN) were separately dissolved in SDS-Sample Buffer and heated at 98° C. for 5 minutes. Then, the proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, and the proteins in the gel were transferred to a PVDF membrane. The PVDF membrane was blocked in TBST containing 5% BSA. Then, the PVDF membrane was soaked in a solution of Penta-His HRP Conjugate (manufactured by QIAGEN) diluted 1000 times with TBST containing 5% BSA, and reacted at room temperature for 1 hour. This PVDF membrane was washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. Then, signals were detected using ECL Plus. Signal intensity was compared between the dilution series of the Vec-expressing bacterial cell lysate and the dilution series of 6×His Protein Ladder, and the concentration of the Vec protein contained in the Vec-expressing bacterial cell lysate was estimated from the protein level per band contained in 6×His Protein Ladder. Deletion mutants of EPHA2 with an amount that exhibited reactivity equivalent to that of 20 ng of Vec in Western blotting using S-Tag Monoclonal Antibody (Novagen) were used in the subsequent epitope identification experiment.

9)-3) Epitope Identification

The cell lysates containing the deletion mutants of EPHA2 prepared in paragraph 9)-2 were dissolved in SDS-Sample Buffer and heated at 98° C. for 5 minutes. The resulting samples were separated by SDS-PAGE, and the proteins in the gels were transferred to PVDF membranes. After the transfer, the PVDF membranes were blocked by shaking in Blocking Solution (one pouch of Block Ace powder was dissolved in 100 ml of ultrapure water, to which Tween 20 and sodium azide were then added at final concentrations of 0.1% (v/v) and 0.02% (w/v), respectively). Then, these PVDF membranes were reacted overnight at 4° C. in Blocking Solution containing 2 μg/ml SH348-1 or SH357-1. These PVDF membranes were washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST and further reacted at room temperature for 30 minutes in a solution of Anti-Mouse Ig, HRP-Linked Whole Ab Sheep diluted 5000 times with TBST. Subsequently, the PVDF membranes were washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. Then, signals were detected on a film for chemiluminescence using ECL Plus.

Next, the PVDF membranes were soaked in Stripping Solution (50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.8, 2% (w/v) SDS, 100 mM 2-mercaptoethanol), then shaken at 55° C. for 30 minutes, and then washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. These PVDF membranes were blocked in Blocking Solution and then washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. The PVDF membranes were soaked in a solution of S-Tag Monoclonal Antibody diluted 10000 times with TBST, and reacted at room temperature for 30 minutes. The PVDF membranes were washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. Then, the PVDF membranes were soaked in a solution of Anti-Mouse Ig, HRP-Linked Whole Ab Sheep diluted 5000 times with TBST, and reacted at room temperature for 30 minutes. Next, the PVDF membranes were washed for 10 minutes three times with TBST. Then, signals were detected on a film for chemiluminescence using ECL Plus.

As a result, both the antibodies SH348-1 (FIG. 11A) and SH357-1 (FIG. 11C) exhibited binding activities only to m1, m2, and m5. Moreover, in this procedure, the deletion mutants of EPHA2 were present in an almost constant amount on each of the PVDF membranes (SH348-1: FIG. 11B, SH357-1: FIG. 11D). These results demonstrated that the antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 bind to a region consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 439 to 534 of SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing in the EPHA2 amino acid sequence.

Example 10 Design of Humanized Antibody

10)-1 Design of Humanized Antibody of SH348-1

10)-1-1 Molecular Modeling of SH348-1 Variable Regions

The molecular modeling of SH348-1 variable regions was conducted according to homology modeling (Methods in Enzymology, 203, 121-153, (1991)). The primary sequences (three-dimensional structures derived from X-ray crystal structures are available) of human immunoglobulin variable regions registered in Protein Data Bank (Nuc. Acid Res. 35, D301-D303 (2007)) were compared with the SH348-1 variable regions determined in Example 5. As a result, 2JEL and 1A4J were respectively selected as sequences having the highest sequence homology to the SH348-1 light or heavy chain variable regions. The three-dimensional structures of framework regions were prepared based on a “framework model” obtained by combining the coordinates of 2JEL and 1A4J corresponding to the SH348-1 light and heavy chains. For SH348-1 CDRs, CDRL₁, CDRL₂, CDRL₃, CDRH₁, and CDRH₂ were assigned to clusters 16A, 7A, 9A, 10A, and 10A, respectively, according to the classification of Thornton et al. (J. Mol. Biol., 263, 800-815, (1996)). CDRH₃ was classified in e (9) D according to the H3-rules (FEBS letters 399, 1-8 (1996)). Subsequently, the typical conformation of each CDR was incorporated in the framework model.

Finally, to obtain possible molecular models of the SH348-1 variable regions in terms of energy, an energy calculation was conducted for excluding disadvantageous interatomic contact. These procedures were performed using a commercially available three-dimensional protein structure prediction program Prime and coordinate search program MacroModel (Schrödinger, LLC).

10)-1-2 Design of Amino Acid Sequence of Humanized SH348-1

Humanized SH348-1 antibodies were constructed according to CDR grafting (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 10029-10033 (1989)). Acceptor antibodies were selected based on amino acid homology within the framework regions. The sequences of the SH348-1 framework regions were compared with those of all human frameworks registered in the Kabat Database (Nuc. Acid Res. 29, 205-206 (2001)) involving antibody amino acid sequences. A GSD2B5B10′CL antibody was selected as an acceptor due to their having, at 72%, the highest sequence homology between their framework regions. The amino acid residues of the framework regions in GSD2B5B10′CL were aligned with the corresponding amino acid residues in SH348-1 to identify positions where different amino acids therebetween were used. The positions of these residues were analyzed using the three-dimensional model of SH348-1 thus constructed. Then, donor residues to be grafted on the acceptor were selected according to the criteria provided by Queen et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 10029-10033 (1989)). Humanized SH348-1 sequences were determined by transferring some selected donor residues to the acceptor antibody GSD2B5B10′CL. As a result, the humanized sequences of two types of light chains and two types of heavy chains were obtained as shown below. Hereinafter, variable and constant regions and CDRs were classified based on the antibody amino acid sequence database prepared by Kabat et al.

10-1-3) Humanization of SH348-1 Light Chain

10-1-3-1) hSH348-T1L-Type Light Chain:

A humanized SH348-1 light chain was designed by substituting amino acid Nos. 2 (valine), 3 (leucine), 14 (serine), 15 (leucine), 17 (aspartic acid), 18 (glutamine), 50 (lysine), 79 (arginine), 88 (leucine), 105 (glycine), 109 (leucine), and 114 (alanine) of SH348-1 light chain variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 37 of the sequence listing with isoleucine, valine, threonine, proline, glutamic acid, proline, glutamine, lysine, valine, glutamine, valine, and threonine, respectively, and was designated as a “hSH348-T1L-type light chain”.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH348-1-T1L-type light chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 90 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 91. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 60 of SEQ ID NO: 90 is a secretion signal sequence. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 61 to 402 thereof is a variable region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 403 to 717 thereof is a constant region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 130 to 177 thereof is CDRL₁. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 223 to 243 thereof is CDRL₂. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 340 to 363 thereof is CDRL₃.

The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 20 of SEQ ID NO: 91 of the sequence listing is a secretion signal sequence. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 thereof is a variable region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 135 to 239 thereof is a constant region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 44 to 59 thereof is CDRL₁. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 75 to 81 thereof is CDRL₂. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 114 to 121 thereof is CDRL₃.

Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH348-1-T1L-type light chain CDRL₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 92 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 93, the nucleotide sequence of CDRL₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 94 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 95, the nucleotide sequence of CDRL₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 96 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 97.

10-1-3-2) hSH348-T3L-Type Light Chain:

A humanized SH348-1 light chain was designed by substituting amino acid Nos. 14 (serine), 15 (leucine), 17 (aspartic acid), 18 (glutamine), 50 (lysine), 79 (arginine), 88 (leucine), 105 (glycine), 109 (leucine), and 114 (alanine) of SH348-1 light chain variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 37 of the sequence listing with threonine, proline, glutamic acid, proline, glutamine, lysine, valine, glutamine, valine, and threonine, respectively, and was designated as a “hSH348-1-T3L-type light chain”.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH348-1-T3L-type light chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 98 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 99. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 60 of SEQ ID NO: 98 is a secretion signal sequence. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 61 to 402 thereof is a variable region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 403 to 717 thereof is a constant region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 130 to 177 thereof is CDRL₁. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 223 to 243 thereof is CDRL₂. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 340 to 363 thereof is CDRL₃.

The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 20 of SEQ ID NO: 99 of the sequence listing is a secretion signal sequence. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 thereof is a variable region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 135 to 239 thereof is a constant region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 44 to 59 thereof is CDRL₁. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 75 to 81 thereof is CDRL₂. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 114 to 121 thereof is CDRL₃.

Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH348-1-T3L-type light chain CDRL₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 100 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 101, the nucleotide sequence of CDRL₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 102 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 103, the nucleotide sequence of CDRL₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 104 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 105.

10-1-4) Humanization of SH348-1 Heavy Chain

10-1-4-1) hSH348-1-T1H-Type Heavy Chain:

A humanized SH348-1 heavy chain was designed by substituting amino acid Nos. 2 (isoleucine), 9 (proline), 11 (leucine), 16 (glutamic acid), 17 (threonine), 20 (isoleucine), 38 (lysine), 43 (lysine), 46 (lysine), 68 (phenylalanine), 69 (alanine), 70 (phenylalanine), 71 (serine), 72 (leucine), 73 (glutamic acid), 76 (alanine), 80 (phenylalanine), 82 (glutamine), 83 (isoleucine), 84 (asparagine), 85 (asparagine), 87 (lysine), 88 (asparagine), 93 (threonine), 95 (phenylalanine), 114 (threonine), and 115 (leucine) of SH348-1 heavy chain variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 43 of the sequence listing with valine, alanine, valine, serine, serine, valine, arginine, glutamine, glutamic acid, valine, threonine, isoleucine, threonine, alanine, aspartic acid, threonine, tyrosine, glutamic acid, leucine, serine, serine, arginine, serine, valine, tyrosine, leucine and valine, respectively, and was designated as a “hSH348-1-T1H-type heavy chain”.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH348-1-T1H-type heavy chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 106 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 107. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 57 of SEQ ID NO: 106 is a secretion signal sequence. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 58 to 414 thereof is a variable region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 415 to 1404 thereof is a constant region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 148 to 162 thereof is CDRH₁. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 205 to 255 thereof is CDRH₂. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 352 to 381 thereof is CDRL₃.

The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 19 of SEQ ID NO: 107 of the sequence listing is a secretion signal sequence. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 thereof is a variable region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 139 to 468 thereof is a constant region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 50 to 54 thereof is CDRH₁. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 69 to 85 thereof is CDRH₂. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 118 to 127 thereof is CDRH₃.

Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH348-1-T1H-type heavy chain CDRH₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 108 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 109, the nucleotide sequence of CDRH₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 110 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 111, the nucleotide sequence of CDRH₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 112 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 113.

10-1-4-2) hSH348-1-T3H-Type Heavy Chain:

A humanized SH348-1 heavy chain was designed by substituting amino acid Nos. 9 (proline), 11 (leucine), 16 (glutamic acid), 17 (threonine), 20 (isoleucine), 38 (lysine), 43 (lysine), 73 (glutamic acid), 76 (alanine), 80 (phenylalanine), 82 (glutamine), 83 (isoleucine), 84 (asparagine), 85 (asparagine), 87 (lysine), 88 (asparagine), 93 (threonine), 95 (phenylalanine), 114 (threonine), and 115 (leucine) of SH348-1 heavy chain variable domains shown in SEQ ID NO: 43 of the sequence listing with alanine, valine, serine, serine, valine, arginine, glutamine, aspartic acid, threonine, tyrosine, glutamic acid, leucine, serine, serine, arginine, serine, valine, tyrosine, leucine and valine, respectively, and was designated as a “hSH348-1-T3H-type heavy chain”.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH348-1-T3H-type heavy chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 114 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 115. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 57 of SEQ ID NO: 114 is a secretion signal sequence. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 58 to 414 thereof is a variable region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 415 to 1404 thereof is a constant region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 148 to 162 thereof is CDRH₁. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 205 to 255 thereof is CDRH₂. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 352 to 381 thereof is CDRL₃.

The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 19 of SEQ ID NO: 115 of the sequence listing is a secretion signal sequence. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 thereof is a variable region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 139 to 468 thereof is a constant region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 50 to 54 thereof is CDRH₁. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 69 to 85 thereof is CDRH₂. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 118 to 127 thereof is CDRH₃.

Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH348-1-T3H-type heavy chain CDRH₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 116 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 117, the nucleotide sequence of CDRH₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 118 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 119, the nucleotide sequence of CDRH₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 120 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 121.

10)-2 Design of Humanized Antibody of SH357-1

10)-2-1 Molecular Modeling of SH357-1 Variable Region

2JEL and 1A4J were selected as sequences having the highest sequence homology to the SH357-1 light and heavy chain variable regions, respectively, in the same way as in paragraph 10)-1-1. CDRL₁, CDRL₂, CDRL₃, CDRH₁, and CDRH₂ were assigned to clusters 16A, 7A, 9A, 10A, and 10A, respectively. CDRH₃ was classified in e(9)D.

10)-2-2 Design of Amino Acid Sequence for Humanized SH357-1

A GSD2B5B10′CL antibody was selected as an acceptor in the same way as in paragraph 10)-1-2, and the sequence of humanized SH357-1 was determined. As a result, the humanized sequences of two types of light chains and two types of heavy chains were obtained as shown below.

10-2-3) Humanization of SH357-1 Light Chain

10-2-3-1) hSH357-1-T1L-Type Light Chain:

A humanized SH357-1 light chain designed by substituting amino acid Nos. 2 (valine), 3 (leucine), 7 (threonine), 14 (serine), 15 (leucine), 17 (aspartic acid), 18 (glutamine), 50 (lysine), 88 (leucine), 105 (glycine), 109 (leucine), and 114 (alanine) of SH357-1 light chain shown in SEQ ID NO: 41 of the sequence listing with isoleucine, valine, serine, threonine, proline, glutamic acid, proline, glutamine, valine, glutamine, valine, and threonine, respectively, was designated as a “hSH357-1-T1L-type light chain”.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH357-1-T1L-type light chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 122 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 123. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 60 of SEQ ID NO: 122 is a secretion signal sequence. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 61 to 402 thereof is a variable region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 403 to 717 thereof is a constant region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 130 to 177 thereof is CDRL₁. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 223 to 243 thereof is CDRL₂. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 340 to 363 thereof is CDRL₃.

The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 20 of SEQ ID NO: 123 of the sequence listing is a secretion signal sequence. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 thereof is a variable region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 135 to 239 thereof is a constant region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 44 to 59 thereof is CDRL₁. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 75 to 81 thereof is CDRL₂. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 114 to 121 thereof is CDRL₃.

Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH357-1-T1L-type light chain CDRL₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 124 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 125, the nucleotide sequence of CDRL₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 126 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 127, the nucleotide sequence of CDRL₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 128 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 129.

10-2-3-2) hSH357-1-T3L-Type Light Chain:

A humanized SH357-1 light chain designed by substituting amino acid Nos. 7 (threonine), 14 (serine), 15 (leucine), 17 (aspartic acid), 18 (glutamine), 50 (lysine), 88 (leucine), 105 (glycine), 109 (leucine), and 114 (alanine) of SH357-1 light chain shown in SEQ ID NO: 41 with serine, threonine, proline, glutamic acid, proline, glutamine, valine, glutamine, valine, and threonine, respectively, was designated as a “hSH357-1-T3L-type light chain”.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH357-1-T3L-type light chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 130 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 131. A nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 60 of SEQ ID NO: 130 is a secretion signal sequence. A nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 61 to 402 thereof is a variable region. A nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 403 to 717 thereof is a constant region. A nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 130 to 177 thereof is CDRL₁. A nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 223 to 243 thereof is CDRL₂. A nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 340 to 363 thereof is CDRL₃.

The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 20 of SEQ ID NO: 131 of the sequence listing is a secretion signal sequence. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 thereof is a variable region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 135 to 239 thereof is a constant region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 44 to 59 thereof is CDRL₁. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 75 to 81 thereof is CDRL₂. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 114 to 121 thereof is CDRL₃.

Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH357-1-T3L-type light chain CDRL₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 132 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 133, the nucleotide sequence of CDRL₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 134 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 135, the nucleotide sequence of CDRL₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 136 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 137.

10-2-4) Humanization of SH357-1 Heavy Chain

10-2-4-1) hSH357-1-T1H-Type Heavy Chain:

A humanized SH357-1 heavy chain was designed by substituting amino acid Nos. 2 (isoleucine), 9 (proline), 11 (leucine), 16 (glutamic acid), 17 (threonine), 20 (isoleucine), 38 (lysine), 43 (lysine), 46 (lysine), 68 (phenylalanine), 69 (alanine), 70 (phenylalanine), 71 (serine), 72 (leucine), 73 (glutamic acid), 76 (alanine), 82 (glutamine), 83 (isoleucine), 85 (asparagine), 87 (lysine), 88 (asparagine), 93 (serine), 95 (phenylalanine), 114 (threonine), and 115 (leucine) of SH357-1 heavy chain variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 51 of the sequence listing with valine, alanine, valine, alanine, serine, valine, arginine, glutamine, glutamic acid, valine, threonine, isoleucine, threonine, alanine, aspartic acid, threonine, glutamic acid, leucine, serine, arginine, serine, valine, tyrosine, leucine and valine, respectively, and was designated as a “hSH357-1-T1H-type heavy chain”.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH357-1-T1H-type heavy chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 138 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 139. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 57 of SEQ ID NO: 138 is a secretion signal sequence. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 58 to 414 thereof is a variable region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 415 to 1404 thereof is a constant region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 145 to 162 thereof is CDRH₁. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 205 to 255 thereof is CDRH₂. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 352 to 381 thereof is CDRL₃.

The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 19 of SEQ ID NO: 139 of the sequence listing is a secretion signal sequence. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 thereof is a variable region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 139 to 468 thereof is a constant region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 49 to 54 thereof is CDRH₁. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 69 to 85 thereof is CDRH₂. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 118 to 127 thereof is CDRH₃.

Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH357-1-T1H-type heavy chain CDRH₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 140 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 141, the nucleotide sequence of CDRH₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 142 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 143, the nucleotide sequence of CDRH₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 144 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 145.

10-2-4-2) hSH357-1-T3H-Type Heavy Chain:

A humanized SH357-1 heavy chain was designed by substituting amino acid Nos. 9 (proline), 11 (leucine), 16 (glutamic acid), 17 (threonine), 20 (isoleucine), 38 (lysine), 43 (lysine), 73 (glutamic acid), 76 (alanine), 82 (glutamine), 83 (isoleucine), 85 (asparagine), 87 (lysine), 88 (asparagine), 93 (serine), 95 (phenylalanine), 114 (threonine), and 115 (leucine) of SH357-1 heavy chain variable region shown in SEQ ID NO: 51 with alanine, valine, alanine, serine, valine, arginine, glutamine, aspartic acid, threonine, glutamic acid, leucine, serine, arginine, serine, valine, tyrosine, leucine and valine, respectively, and was designated as a “hSH357-1-T3H-type heavy chain”.

The nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH357-1-T3H-type heavy chain is represented by SEQ ID NO: 146 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 147. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 1 to 57 of SEQ ID NO: 146 is a secretion signal sequence. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 58 to 414 thereof is a variable region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 415 to 1404 thereof is a constant region. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 145 to 162 thereof is CDRH₁. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 205 to 255 thereof is CDRH₂. The nucleotide sequence represented by nucleotide Nos. 352 to 381 thereof is CDRL₃.

The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 19 of SEQ ID NO: 147 of the sequence listing is a secretion signal sequence. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 thereof is a variable region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 139 to 468 thereof is a constant region. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 49 to 54 thereof is CDRH₁. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 69 to 85 thereof is CDRH₂. The amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 118 to 127 thereof is CDRH₃.

Moreover, the nucleotide sequence encoding the hSH357-1-T3H-type heavy chain CDRH₁ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 148 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 149, the nucleotide sequence of CDRH₂ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 150 in the sequence listing, the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 151, the nucleotide sequence of CDRH₃ is represented by SEQ ID NO: 152 in the sequence listing, and the amino acid sequence thereof is represented by SEQ ID NO: 153.

Example 11 Preparation of Humanized Anti-EPHA2 Antibodies

To measure the activities of the humanized SH348-1 and the humanized SH357-1, plasmids having the heavy and light chains of the humanized anti-EPHA2 antibodies obtained in Example 10 were constructed as shown below.

11)-1 Construction of Humanized Anti-EPHA2 Antibody Expression Vectors

11)-1-1 Preparation of Versatile Humanized Antibody Light Chain Expression Vector (pEF6/KCL)

A gene encoding a human antibody light chain signal sequence and a human Ig light chain (κ chain) constant region, described in SEQ ID NO: 154 in the sequence listing, was synthesized (Invitrogen Corp.; artificial gene synthesis service) and cleaved with restriction enzymes NheI and PmeI. The cleaved DNA fragment was inserted into the NheI/PmeI site of a vector pEF6/V5-HisB (Invitrogen Corp.) to construct a versatile humanized antibody light chain expression vector (pEF6/KCL).

11)-1-2 Preparation of Versatile Humanized Antibody Heavy Chain Expression Vector (pEF1/FCCU-1)

A gene encoding a human antibody heavy chain signal sequence and a human IgG1 constant region, described in SEQ ID NO: 155 in the sequence listing, was synthesized (Invitrogen Corp.; artificial gene synthesis service) and cleaved with restriction enzymes NheI and PmeI. The cleaved DNA fragment was inserted into the NheI/PmeI site of a vector pEF1/myc-HisB (Invitrogen Corp.) to construct a versatile humanized antibody H chain expression vector (pEF1/FCCU-1).

11)-1-3 hSH348-1-T1L and hSH348-1-T3L-Type Light Chain Expression Vectors

Each DNA containing a gene encoding a hSH348-1-T1L or hSH348-1-T3L-type light chain variable region represented by SEQ ID NO: 156 and 157 of the sequence listing, fused with a secretion signal was synthesized (Invitrogen Corp., Artificial Gene Synthesis Service) and digested with restriction enzymes NdeI and BsiWI. The resulting DNA fragments were separately inserted into sites of the versatile vector for humanized antibody light chain expression (pEF6/KCL) digested in advance with restriction enzymes NdeI and BsiWI to thereby construct hSH348-1-T1L and hSH348-1-T3L-type light chain expression vectors. The obtained expression vectors were designated as “pEF6/KCL/hSH348-1-T1L” and “pEF6/KCL/hSH348-1-T3L”, respectively.

11)-1-4 Construction of hSH348-1-T1H and hSH348-1-T3H-Type Heavy Chain Expression Vectors

Each DNA containing a gene encoding a hSH348-1-T1H or hSH348-1-T3H-type heavy chain variable region represented by SEQ ID NO: 158 and 159, respectively, of the sequence listing was synthesized (Invitrogen Corp., Artificial Gene Synthesis Service) and digested with a restriction enzyme BlpI. The resulting DNA fragments were separately inserted into sites of the versatile vector for humanized antibody H chain expression (pEF1/FCCU-1) digested in advance with a restriction enzyme BlpI to thereby construct hSH348-1-T1H and hSH348-1-T3H-type heavy chain expression vectors. The obtained expression vectors were designated as “pEF1/FCCU/hSH348-1-T1H” and “pEF1/FCCU/hSH348-1-T3H”, respectively.

11)-1-5 Construction of hSH357-1-T1L and hSH357-1-T3L-Type Light Chain Expression Vectors

Each DNA containing a gene encoding a hSH357-1-T1L or hSH357-1-T3L-type light chain variable region represented by SEQ ID NO: 160 or 161, respectively, of the sequence listing, fused with a secretion signal was synthesized (Invitrogen Corp., Artificial Gene Synthesis Service) and digested with restriction enzymes NdeI and BsiWI. The resulting DNA fragments were separately inserted into sites of the versatile vector for humanized antibody L chain expression (pEF6/KCL) digested in advance with restriction enzymes NdeI and BsiWI to thereby construct hSH357-1-T1L and hSH357-1-T3L-type light chain expression vectors. The obtained expression vectors were designated as “pEF6/KCL/hSH357-1-T1L” and “pEF6/KCL/hSH357-1-T3L”, respectively.

11)-1-6 Construction of hSH357-1-T1H and hSH357-1-T3H-Type Heavy Chain Expression Vectors

Each DNA containing a gene encoding a hSH357-1-T1H or hSH357-1-T3H-type heavy chain variable region represented by SEQ ID NO: 162 or 163, respectively, of the sequence listing was synthesized (Invitrogen Corp., Artificial Gene Synthesis Service) and digested with a restriction enzyme BlpI. The resulting DNA fragments were separately inserted into sites of the versatile vector for humanized antibody H chain expression (pEF1/FCCU-1) digested in advance with a restriction enzyme BlpI to thereby construct hSH357-1-T1H and hSH357-1-T3H-type heavy chain expression vectors. The obtained expression vectors were designated as “pEF1/FCCU/hSH357-1-T1H” and “pEF1/FCCU/hSH357-1-T3H”, respectively.

11)-2 Production of Humanized Antibody

1.2×10⁹ cells of 293 FreeStyle cells at the log growth phase were seeded onto 1.2 L of fresh FreeStyle 293 Expression Medium (Invitrogen Corp.) and shake-cultured (125 rpm) in an incubator at 37° C. in 8% CO₂. 12 mg of Polyethyleneimine (Polyscience #24765) was dissolved in 40 mL of an Opti-Pro SFM medium (manufactured by Invitrogen Corp.) and left at room temperature for 5 minutes. An H chain expression plasmid (0.6 mg) and an L chain expression plasmid (1.8 mg) prepared using a PureLink HiPure Plasmid kit (Invitrogen Corp.) were suspended in 40 mL of an Opti-Pro SFM medium (Invitrogen Corp.). 40 mL of the expression plasmid/OptiPro SFM mixed solution was added to 40 mL of the Polyethyleneimine/OptiPro SFM mixed solution thus left at room temperature for 5 minutes and further left at room temperature for 5 minutes. Next, 80 mL of the Polyethyleneimine/expression plasmid/OptiPro SFM mixed solution was added to the 293 FreeStyle cell suspension, and shake-culture was continued. After 7-day culture at 37° C. in 8% CO2, the culture supernatant was collected.

11)-3 Purification of Humanized Antibody

The culture supernatant obtained in paragraph 11)-2 was filtered through a Disposable Capsule Filter (Advantec MFS Inc., #CCS-045-E1H) and then purified by Protein A affinity column chromatography. The culture supernatant was applied to MabSelect SuRe HiTrap 1 mL (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-sciences Corp.) equilibrated with PBS, and washed with PBS. Next, a 2 M arginine solution (pH 4.0) was applied thereto to collect antibody-containing fractions. The pH was adjusted to 7, and the antibody-containing fractions were applied to a HiPrep Desalting Column (26/10, 50 mL) (GE Healthcare Bio-sciences Corp.) equilibrated with PBS in advance. After replacement with PBS, the antibody-containing fractions were passed through a 0.2-μm filter to prepare a purified sample.

The antibody concentration was determined by eluting the antibodies bound to a POROS G 20 μm Column, PEEK, 4.6 mm×100 mm, 1.7 ml (manufactured by Applied Biosystems) and measuring the absorbance (O.D. 280 nm) of the eluate, followed by peak area comparison with a standard (human IgG1).

A humanized antibody SH348-1 obtained by the combination between pEF6/KCL/hSH348-1-T1L and pEF1/FCCU/hSH348-1-T1H was designated as “hSH348-1-T1”; and a humanized antibody SH348-1 obtained by the combination between pEF6/KCL/hSH348-1-T3L and pEF1/FCCU/hSH348-1-T3H was designated as “hSH348-1-T3”.

Moreover, a humanized antibody SH357-1 obtained by the combination between pEF6/KCL/hSH357-1-T1L and pEF1/FCCU/hSH357-1-T1H was designated as “hSH357-1-T1”; and a humanized antibody SH357-1 obtained by the combination between pEF6/KCL/hSH357-1-T3L and pEF1/FCCU/hSH357-1-T3H was designated as “hSH357-1-T3”.

Example 12 Confirmation of Binding Activity of Humanized Anti-EPHA2 Antibody to Antigen

The abilities of the antibodies hSH348-1-T1, hSH348-1-T3, hSH357-1-T1, and hSH357-1-T3 to bind to the antigen were confirmed according to the method described in Example 6 except that Peroxidase AffiniPure Goat Anti-Human IgG Fcγ Fragment Specific (manufactured by Jackson ImmunoResearch Laboratories, Inc., #109-035-098) was used as a secondary antibody.

In the graphs of FIGS. 12A) to 12D), the absorbance is indicated in mean±standard deviation (n=3). As a result, all the humanized anti-EPHA2 antibodies hSH348-1-T1, hSH348-1-T3, hSH357-1-T1, and hSH357-1-T3 were confirmed to have binding activity to the EPHA2 extracellular region.

Example 13 Measurement of Competitive Inhibitory Activity Against Binding of SH348-1 or SH357-1 to EPHA2

The competitive inhibitory activities of hSH348-1-T1 and hSH348-1-T3 against the binding of SH348-1 to EPHA2 as well as the competitive inhibitory activities of hSH357-1-T1 and hSH357-1-T3 against the binding of SH357-1 to EPHA2 were measured by a method described below.

The mouse monoclonal antibodies SH348-1 and SH357-1 were separately biotinylated using EZ-Link Sulfo-NHS-LC Biotinylation Kit (manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., #21435) according to the protocol included therein (hereinafter, the biotinylated SH348-1 and SH357-1 were referred to as “bSH348-1” and “bSH357-1”, respectively). The concentrations of bSH348-1, bSH357-1, and unlabeled antibodies (SH348-1, SH357-1, hSH348-1-T1, hSH348-1-T3, hSH357-1-T1, hSH357-1-T3, and Ab96-1) used in the competitive inhibition experiment were measured using BCA Protein Assay Reagent (manufactured by PIERCE).

An EPHA2 extracellular region polypeptide (manufactured by R&D Systems, Inc., #3035-A2-100) was diluted to 0.5 μg/ml with PBS, then dispensed at 100 μl/well onto an immunoplate (manufactured by Nunc, #442404), and incubated overnight at 4° C. to thereby adsorb the protein onto the plate. On the next day, the wells were washed once with Diluting Buffer (PBS, 0.05% (v/v) Tween 20). Then, a Block Ace solution (one pouch of Block Ace powder was dissolved in 100 ml of ultrapure water) diluted 4 times with PBS was dispensed at 200 μl/well and incubated at room temperature for 4 hours. The solution in the wells was removed. Then, mixed solutions of the biotinylated antibodies (5 μg/ml) and various concentrations (0 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, 5 μg/ml, 25 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml, and 125 μg/ml) of the unlabeled antibodies (solvent: PBS containing 0.05% (v/v) (final concentration) Tween 20) were separately dispensed at 100 μl/well and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The wells were washed twice with Diluting Buffer (PBS, 0.05% (v/v) Tween 20). Then, Streptavidin-horseradish Peroxidase Conjugate (manufactured by GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp., #RPN1231V) diluted 500 times with Diluting Buffer was added at 100 μl/well and incubated at room temperature for 1 hour. The solution in the wells was removed, and the wells were washed twice with Diluting Buffer. Then, a color reaction was performed with stirring by the addition of OPD Color Developing Solution at 100 μl/well. After color development, the color reaction was terminated by the addition of 1 M HCl at 100 μl/well. The absorbance at 490 nm was measured using a plate reader.

As a result, the absorbance of the wells supplemented with only bSH348-1 or bSH357-1 was 0.780±0.016 and 0.978±0.007 (mean±standard deviation (n=3)), respectively.

In the graphs of FIGS. 13A) and 13B), the absorbance is indicated in mean±standard deviation (n=3). The binding of SH348-1 or SH357-1 to EPHA2 was not inhibited by Ab96-1 differing in epitope therefrom. On the other hand, the binding of SH348-1 to EPHA2 was shown to be inhibited by the antibody SH348-1 itself or its humanized antibodies hSH348-1-T1 and hSH348-1-T3 (FIG. 13A). Likewise the binding of SH357-1 to EPHA2 was shown to be inhibited by the antibody SH357-1 itself or its humanized antibodies hSH357-1-T1 and hSH357-1-T3 (FIG. 13B).

Example 14 Inhibitory Effect of Humanized Anti-EPHA2 Antibody on Ephrin-A1-Dependent Phosphorylation of EPHA2 Tyrosine Residues

The ability of the humanized anti-EPHA2 antibody to inhibit ephrin-A1-dependent phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues was examined according to the method described in Example 8. As a result, all the antibodies hSH348-1-T1, hSH348-1-T3, hSH357-1-T1, and hSH357-1-T3 were shown to maintain an activity of inhibiting Ephrin-A1/Fc-induced phosphorylation of EPHA2 tyrosine residues (FIG. 14).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

An anti-EPHA2 antibody of the present invention has an antitumor activity. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-EPHA2 antibody can be used as an anticancer agent.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. An antibody produced by the hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836).
 2. An isolated antibody which binds specifically to EPHA2 consisting of a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 119 of SEQ ID NO: 35 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 1 to 112 of SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing.
 3. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to EPHA2 consisting of a heavy chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 35 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 37 in the sequence listing.
 4. An antibody obtained by humanizing an antibody according to any one of claims 1, 2, and
 3. 5. An isolated antibody which binds specifically to EPHA2 consisting of the following 1) and 2): 1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 107 in the sequence listing or a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 115 in the sequence listing; and 2) a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 91 in the sequence listing or a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 99 in the sequence listing.
 6. An isolated antibody which binds specifically to EPHA2 consisting of a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 107 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 91 in the sequence listing.
 7. A Fab, F(ab′)₂, Fv, scFv, a diabody, a linear antibody, or a multispecific antibody derived from any antibodies according to any of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, and
 6. 8. The mouse hybridoma SH348-1 (FERM BP-10836).
 9. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to EPHA2 consisting of a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 468 of SEQ ID NO: 115 in the sequence listing and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 239 of SEQ ID NO: 99 in the sequence listing.
 10. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 8 in the sequence listing, wherein the antibody has the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 109 as CDRH1, SEQ ID NO: 111 as CDRH2, and SEQ ID NO: 113 as CDRH3, and has the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 93 as CDRL1, SEQ ID NO: 95 as CDRL2, and SEQ ID NO: 97 as CDRL3 in the sequence listing.
 11. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to EPHA2 consisting of the following 1) and 2): 1) a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 of SEQ ID NO: 107 in the sequence listing or a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 of SEQ ID NO: 115 in the sequence listing; and 2) a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 of SEQ ID NO: 91 in the sequence listing or a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 of SEQ ID NO: 99 in the sequence listing.
 12. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to EPHA2 consisting of a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 of SEQ ID NO: 107 in the sequence listing; and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 of SEQ ID NO: 91 in the sequence listing.
 13. An isolated antibody which specifically binds to EPHA2 consisting of a heavy chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 20 to 138 of SEQ ID NO: 115 in the sequence listing; and a light chain polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence represented by amino acid Nos. 21 to 134 of SEQ ID NO: 99 in the sequence listing.
 14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one antibody selected from the antibodies according to any one of claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 9-13.
 15. A method for inhibiting tumor growth in a mammal, wherein the tumor expresses EPHA2, comprising administering any antibody selected from the group consisting of antibodies according to any one of claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 9-13. 